,.^... 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


// 


'^ 


1.0 


I.I 


u    Hi 


Hi  Ki  12.? 
2.0 

1.8 


6" 


125  iU    11.6 


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Photographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


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t/j 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


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Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


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Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  Institute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
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n 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


Couverture  endommag^e 

Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurie  et/ou  pelliculde 

Cover  title  missing/ 

Ls  titre  de  couverture  manque 

Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  giographiques  en  couleur 


D 
D 
D 


Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  biack)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  ii.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relid  avec  d'autres  documents 


r/f  Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 

I 1    along  interior  margin/ 

Lareliure  serr^e  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intdrieure 


D 


D 


Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
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une  ima'^6  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
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sont  indiquds  ci-dessous. 


I      I    Coloured  pages/ 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagdes 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

Pages  restaur6es  et/ou  pellicul6es 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxe< 
Pages  d^colordes,  tachetdes  ou  piqu6es 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ddtach^es 

Shcwthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  prir 

Quality  tndgale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  materia 
Comprend  du  materiel  suppl^mentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


j      I    Pages  damaged/ 

I      1    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 

r~y  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 

I      I    Pages  detached/ 

r~7]    Shcwthrough/ 

I      I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 

I      I    Includes  supplementary  material/ 

I      I    Only  edition  available/ 


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obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 
Ce  document  est  film*  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqu^  ci-dessous. 
10X  14X  18X  22X 


• 


12X 


16X 


20X 


26X 


30X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


ire 

d(6tails 
es  du 
modifier 
er  une 
filmage 


es 


The  copy  filmed  here  has  been  reproduced  thanks 
to  the  generosity  of: 

National  Library  of  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Original  copies  in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — ^>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 

Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


L'exemplaire  film6  fut  reproduit  grSce  d  la 
gdndrositd  de: 

Bibliothdque  nationale  du  Canada 


Les  images  suivantes  ont  6t6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soin,  compte  tenu  de  la  condition  et 
de  la  nettetd  de  l'exemplaire  filmd,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprim^e  sont  filmds  en  commenpant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  tet  rninant  soit  par  la 
dernidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'iliustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  film6s  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'iliustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernidre  page  qui  comporte  jne  telle 
empreinte. 

Un  des  symboles  suivants  apparaitra  sur  la 
dernidre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  le  symbole  — ►signifie  "A  SUIVRE  ",  le 
symbole  V  signifie  "FIN". 

Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  dtre 
film6s  d  des  taux  de  reduction  diffdrents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  dtre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  clichd,  il  est  film6  d  partir 
de  Tangle  supdrieur  gauche,  de  gauche  d  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  ndcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  m6thode. 


errata 
to 


pelure, 

30  i 


U 

32X 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

\\ 


ITS 


OF  ALL  TH 


BY 


PRINl 


NEWFOUNDLAND 


Ain> 


ITS     MISSIONARIES. 


IN   TWO   PARTS. 


TO  WHICH  IS  ADDED 

A    CHRONOLOGICAL    TABLE 

OF  A..  THE  XMrOHTA.T  HVEKXS  ^AX  HAVB  OCCCKBED  O.  XHB 


BY    REV.   WILLIAM    WILSON, 

FOURTEEN  TBAES  A  MIS8I0WART  Df  NEWFOIWIHATO. 


CAMBRIDGE,   MAS«.. 
PRINTED    BY    DAKIN    &    METCALF. 

HALIFAX,    N.S. 

SOLD     AT     TWp     ■UTJ^a-r -p-..  .  .-     _ 

— E,    WEo^EiAjjf  BOOK  ROOM. 
1866. 


^x  8:1 5^ 


274?0() 


Entered,  according  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1866,  by 

WILLIAM    WILSON, 

In  the  Clerk's  Office  of  the  District  Court  of  the  District  of  Massachusetts. 


To  THE  C 
D18T 

Dear 

anxiety  I, 

this  volun 

has  causei 

But,  bj  t 

plished,  ar 

The  his 

graphical  s 

by  you  w: 

Methodist 

year,  1865 

country. 

past  trium] 

nary  under 

You  nov 

eight  missic 

twenty  tho 

God  alcn 

In  humb 

from  xiiy  ve: 

or  their  chi 


DEDICATION. 


To  THE  CHA.BMAS  AND  BketHHEK  Or  THE  NeWPO^KtAND 
B,8TB.CT,  AND  TBK  WesIEYANS  OF  THE   CoLONY. 

Deae  Brethren, -With  much  concern  and  deep 
anx,e.y  I,  at  your  suggestion,  took  up  my  pen  ,„'  prepare 
this  volume  on  "Newfoundland  and  its  Missionaries."  It 
has  caused  me  much  research,  and  given  me  great  labor. 
Bu^  by  the  good  providence  of  God,  ,ny  task  is  accom- 
plished, and  the  book  is  now  presented  to  the  public 

The  history  of  Methodism  in  your  colony,  and  the  bio- 
graphical  sketches  of  your  deceased  ministers,  will  be  read 
by  you  with  deep  interest.  Newfoundland  is  the  oldest 
Method.^  mission  upon  the  face  of  the  earth;  and  this 
year,  1865,  is  the  centenary  year  of  our  existence  in  your 
country.  You  have  great  cause  for  thankfulness  for  your 
past  triumphs,  and  you  wiU  commence  your  second  cente- 
nary under  circumstances  truly  auspicious. 

You  now  have  twenty-two  ministers,  fourteen  circuits, 
e.ght  m,ss.on-stations,  four  thousand  members,  and,  at  least 
twenty  thousand  friends  and  adherents.    Glory  be  to' 
God  alc¥e ! 

In  humbly  dedicating  this  work  to  you,  lean,  and  do 
from  .ay  very  heart,  offer  up,  on  behalf  of  my  old  friends, 
or  the.r  children  who  may  survive  the.n,  and  also  for  my 

(3) 


iv 


DEDICATION. 


brethren  who  still  labor  on  the  island,  this  prayer,  once 

presented  in  reference   to   the  children  of  Israel :   "  The 

Lord  God  of  your  fathers  make  you  a  thousand  times  so 

many  more  as  ye  are,  and  bless  you,  as  he  hath  promised 

you." 

With  all  respect,  I  am, 

Dear  brethren. 

Yours  affectionately, 

William  Wilson. 

Mill  Town,  St.  Stephens,  New  Brunswick,  March  30, 1865. 


<u 


PEEFACE. 


of  Halifax  N  «lv    T  °    '^"™<='»' ^^^leyan  " 

annual  meet  ng  Th  /  d  r  ''*"'  '''^'™'  "'  "^  '-' 
ehairman  on  behalf  ofthln  -k"  ™'»""'»''=«'»°  from  the 
hm  in  Newfound  and  t  ,  '"  '"''  '""^'"'^  "^  """■od- 
letters  i„  thel™  X' '/o ^e  '"4  "'"'""'*'"'  "^  •'"»« 
reply  were  published  in  tt"' J'"  ""TZ"""^''""  """  «"' 
18,  1864.  A  coDvofth!  a  ^™""'="»1  >l^«sleyan,"  of  July 
A  copy  of  thede  documents  is  here  subjoined :  _ 

«:tri^s:rreti:rheMtr^^^^ 

land  :  —  ^  ^^^^  "^  ^t.  Johns,  Newfound- 

"  That  the  Members  of  thp  DJofr-J^*  u      j 
.elves  and  the  Wesleyan  of  th,? r'  '""'  ""  ''"'"'"  "^  *'«'"'- 

sincere  and  grateful  rCwkd!  '^t"^  ^f '^™".''.  1o  tender  their 
for  the  valu!ble  andiZitt?!  »  ""  "*'"  '^""^■"  W"-» 
Mission  and  itsMissiolSCL\L°  """  '  N^-f-dland 
in  the  '  Provincial  wJC'  T, '  A   T  '"'','""' ''™"' «""'  "o  ««"« 

to  thant  hin.  on  accIrlt-^Tthtttltr^rth '"""■•  ""^"^'^ 
the  interestin..  and  trulv  rhri.t      ™/ . ".'  ""a'ter  they  contain,  and 

and  they  heg^ftrfl,  ,1  be  1™  T" '"  "''"''  "-'^  "^  """» : 
gentleman,  the  a  thL  wH  tf  al  '°  "'™'"""'°'>  """  "-Re- 
in a  more  permanent  fo™  ^^il'*  '^'''^'f.  P-^^l.  then, 
ume,  which  it  is  the  belief  ,^f  ,vb.^  **""  '"^ether  in  a  vol- 

.otheWesleyansofthtlty:a!ronT^d'^^^^^^ 
reasonable  cost.  ^  ""'"^  ^°^  *  ^^ady  sale,  at  a 

"  That,  should  the  Rev.  Mr  WH^^.        * /•   , 

^>ir.  n  ilson  not  feel  inclined  to  publish 

(V) 


m 


VI 


PREFACE. 


them  as  above  recommended,  he  would  kindly  permit  this  Board 

to  take  the  liberty  of  doing  so. 

"  John  S.  Peach,  Chairman." 


Reply  to  the  Chairman  and  Ministers  of  the  Newfoundland  Dis- 

trict. 

"Dear  Brethren,  —  I  received  with  much  pleasure  the  Res- 
olution of  your  District  Board  on  behalf  of  '  the  Wesleyans  of  your 
Colcny,'  expressing  their  approval  of  certain  letters  which  have 
appeared  in  the  '  Provincial  Wesleyan,'  on  '  Newfoundland  and 
its  Missionaries,'  and  requesting  the  publication  of  those  letters  in 
the  form  of  a  volume. 

♦'  In  reply,  permit  me  to  say,  that  I  spent  fourteen  years  in 
different  circuits  of  that  important  mission,  during  which  time  I 
mixed  with  all  classes  of  society,  saw  into  all  the  minutiae  of  its 
business,  as  well  as  the  religious  character  of  its  inhabitants,  and 
took  extensive  notes  of  all  matters  which  came  under  my  observa- 
tion.    For  many  years  I  had  thought  of  giving  the  result  of  these 
observations  to  the  world,  but  delayed  doing  so  until  the  Jubilee 
movement  of  last  year,  when,  information  being  collected  from  va- 
rious sources  as  to  the  work  of  God  on  different  missionary  sta- 
tions, it  seemed  clearly  my  duty  to  communicate  through  the  press 
what  I  knew  in  reference  to  a  country  where  was  commenced  the 
first  Wesleyan  missionary  station  upon  the  earth,  and  where  I 
spent  so  many  of  my  youthful  and  of  my  happiest  days.     Hence 
the  production  of  those  papers ;  and  if  the  perusal  of  them  has 
done  any  good,  or  has  in  any  way  contributed  to  the  gratification 
of  my  dear  friends  in  Newfoundland,  I  consider  myself  amply  re- 
warded. 

'•  As  to  the  publication  of  those  papers  in  the  form  of  a  volume, 
it  is  only  a  question  of  cost ;  and  I  beg  therefore  to  say,  that  if  the 
friends  think  the  volume  will  pay  the  expense,  and  they  can  ad- 
vance the  sum  necessary  for  putting  it  through  the  press,  I  will 
direct  my  best  attention  to  the  work,  and  will  prepare  a  volume 
on  '  Newfoundland,  and  its  Missionaries,'  with  such  corrections 
and  improvements  as  I  hope  will  make  it  both  attractive  and 
useful. 


PREFACE. 

"  In  conclusion,  I  woulfl  «av  fl,«*  t 
kin.l„css  from  the  pcojo  o^n!   f     "^rT"""'"^  ""'"'"'S  >»" 
I'hich  is  atill  fre°h  fn  „         No^fo-n'Hand,  the  remcmbran.o  of 

Yours  very  affeclionately, 
"  Sackviixe,  N.  B.,  Jm,  js,  1864.  "  ^^'"■'-"M  Wnsos. 

^il'^th"  m  VethT  "  r"'*'"  "  "»"  '"^  '»«'«<'  "^rfy  next 
Lndlani  """  centenary  year  of  Methodism  in  Ne«. 

"  W.  W.» 

^  Being  thus  committed,  I  determined  to  make  the  book  aa 
useful  and  mteresting  as  possible.  The  publication  „f,h^ 
e«^.  alone  would  have  been  meagre,  aoith   glre^^, 

o«^  +i>-     •  -^^"vinces.  It  IS  stiJl  a  terra  mcoanita  • 

.w :  troft  '":.'^''  """^  p^'^™' '» '•"^ '-»« 

incorrect,  and,  often,  the  most  absurd,  ideas  both  of  ih. 

Sei^ign:rcer^^^^^^^^^       »'  --4 .0 

authentic  ,„f„       .  communicating  to  the  public 

the  ,  „d  Hr'"".r  ^"""^  ™"-'  connected  with 
the  island.  Hence,  the  miscellaneous  subjects  that  are 
brought  under  the  notice  of  the  reader  i„\he  fouLrng 

The  Topography  is  from  the  Government  Ma      the  Min 

ctX   f"  "^'^^'"*  '"'"""'^'"  '"^  «-' HUo^  s 

Zros  /r-rr'/™™''^'   '^^    '•■^    statistics  from 
Monro  8     British  North  America  " 

PuUkatfo!,?T  °'^^"'°''''"' '«  ""■"piled  from  the  standard 
pubhcations  ,t  the  connection,  the  Biographical  Sketches 
from  *e  Mmutes  of  the  Conference,  and'the'DescnpfW 
the  t  ishery  from  personal  observation. 


m 


VTIT 


PREFACE. 


The  present  seemed  the  most  favora'ole  time  for  issuing 
such  a  work ;  for  all  information  in  reference  to  these  prov- 
inces is  now  called  for,  to  lead  the  people  to  form  a  correct 
opinion  as  to  the  propriety  or  impropriety  of  a  Confeder- 
ation. 

Methodistically,  it  ia  a  centenary  volume ;  for  it  was 
some  time  during  the  summer  of  1765  that  the  Rev.  Law- 
rence Coughlan  commenced  iiis  ministry,  which  will  be  one 
hundred  years  the  coming  season. 

The  writer  now  submits  his  book  to  the  notice  of  a  can- 
did public,  and  prays  that  its  circulation  may  be  the  means 
of  doing  much  good. 

Mux  Town,  St.  Stkph«n's,  New  Brunswick,  March  30, 1865. 


DISCOVERY  — 


CONTENTS. 


PART   I. 

CHAPTER  I. 


Page 


CKOORAPHICaL  position  Awt»  An,...  ^ 

CHAPTER  II. 

SOIL- VEGETABLE  AND  ANIMAL  KINGDOM,       .  .33 

CHAPTER  III. 

DISCOVERY  -  HISTORY  -  PisHINO  ADMIRALS.     . 

CHAPTER  IV. 

DISPLANTING  THE  INHABITAXTS  —  ST    inHVQ  ^. 

IN  PLACENT,A-ST   JOH^  rApJ.;^  ^^^^^«=°  "  ^««NCH 

KHNOH  osBORNErsriYTnrZs'  ^tT"  ""'^-"^"■ 

A    THIRD    TIME -GREAT    STORM         aT"'''   CAPTURED 
NEWSPAPKR  _  ST     TOHV,                   "  ^^MIRAL   RICHERY  -  PIRst 
^rAft.K         ST.    JOHNS     BURNED THK   rato 

COCHRANE  -  P,„sx  PARLIAMENT  -  STEAMERS     ^ .  ^"^''^' 

PRINCE  OF  WALE«l        T-ABTo  STEAMERS  — VISIT  OF    THE 

WALES  —  TABLES  AND  STATISTICS 

'       ■  •  •  "I/ 


65 


PART   II. 


CHAPTER  I. 


STATE    OP 


RELIGION  IN    ENGLAND  —  ENGLISH     rrnr.r.^ 
MKTHODI8M  -  LAY  PREACHERS  -  PERSEcTtio  '    ^  ""  ^'"^   °"' 
-  FIRST  conference,    .  .  "^^^^^^^^^lON  -  JOHN  NELSON 

(IX) 


105 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  II. 


SUCCESS  OP  METHODISM  —  IRELAND  —  LAWRENCE  COUGHLAN  — 
PHXIP  EMBURY  —  METHODISM  IN  NEWFOUNDLAND  —  IN  NEW 
YORK  —  CONFERENCE  OF  1767  —  CAPTAIN  WEBB  —  RICHARD 
BOABDMAN — JOSEPH  PILMOOB,     .  .  .  •  .  •  •   122 


CHAPTER  III. 

RISE  OP  METHODISM  IN  NEWFOUNDLAND  —  LAWRENCE  COUGHLAN  — 
RISE  OF  METHODISM  IN  JERSEY  AND  FRANCE  —  JOHN  STRETTON 


—  ARTHUR  THOME Y, 


131 


CHAPTER  IV. 


METHODISM  IN  OLD  PERLICAN  —  JOHN  HASKINS  ARRIVES  —  WRITES 
TO  MR.  WESLEY  —  PREACHES  —  PERSECUirON  IN  TRINITY— MR. 
STRETTON  WRITES  TO  MB.  WESLEY  FOR  A  PREACHER  —  HIS 
REPLY  —  ARRIVAL  OF  JOHN  MCGEARY  —  EARLY  METHODIST 
PREACHERS  —  JOHN  WESLEY  —  CHARLES  WESLEY  —  JOHN 
FLETCHER  —  MINUTES  OP  1770  —  EXPULSION  OP  SIX  OXFORD 
STUDENTS  —  REV.  WALTER  SHIRLEY'S  CIRCULAR  —  CALVINISTIC 
CONTROVERSY  —  JOSEPH  BENSON  —  ROBERT  SWINDELLS  — 
THOMAS  WALSH  —  THOMAS  OLIVERS  —  SAMUEL  BRADBUBN  — 
DOCTOR  COKE, 

CHAPTER  V. 


149 


JOHN  MCGEARY  —  VISIT  OF   REV.  WILLIAM   BLACK  —  GEORGE   SMITH 

—  WILLIAM  THORESBY  —  JOHN   REMMINGTON  —  WILLIAM   ELLIS 

—  SAMUEL  MCDOWELL  —  WILLIAM  WARD  —  SAMPSON  BUSBY  — 
STATE  OF  THE  METHODIST  MISSIONS  IN  1785  —  STATE  OP  ENG- 
LjInD  in  1798  —  MISSIONS  IN  1813  —  SXATTS  op  INDIA  —  DOCTOR 
COKE  SAILS  FOR  INDIA— ORIGIN  OF  THE  METHODIST  MISSION- 
ARY  SOCIETY  —  NEWFOUNDLAND  DISTRICT,  ....    174 

CHAPTER  VI. 

NEWFOUNDLAND  DISTRICT  — PLAN   FOR  THE  MANAGEMENT  OF  THE 
MISSIONS  — BAY   CIRCUITS  —  ST.   JOHNS'  CIRCUIT —  GREAT  FIRE 

—  CITIZENS    OV    BOSTON  —  BON  AVISTA   CIRCUIT — PERSECUTION 

—  THE  FISHERY  —  THE  WINTER  SEASON, 194 


CHAPTER  VII. 

SABBATH-BREAKING  —  ANECDOTE  OF  MRS.  LOCKE  —  THE  CARBON- 
EAIt  CAPTAIN  —  JOHN  PICKAVANT  —  JOHN  LEWIS  —  METHODISM 
IN  BURIN  — THOMAS  HICKSON— JAMES  HICKSON  —  STATION  FOR 
1817  —  NEW  CIRCUITS  —  HARBOR  GRACE  —  TRINITY  —  WESTERN 
BAY  —  FORTUNE  BAY  —  HANTS'  HARBOR  —  CAPTAIN  VICARS  — 
KEDL2Y  VICARS  — SABHATIJ  SOJIi^.or.S, 


218 


CONTENTS. 


zi 


CHAPTER  VIII.  « 

''"Tor.r'JrH""'""""^^"--"^^^  SCOTIA  M,SSIO..KT 
SOCIETY  -  JOHN  BELL  -  GKORGE  CUBIT  -JOHN  WALSH- JOHN 
HAIGH-RICHARO  KNIGHT  -  WESLEVAN  MISSIONS -PROPrA^ 
TION  SOCIETY -PERSECUTION  IN  BONAVISTA  -  ARRIVAL  ok 
THE  WRITER-STATE  OF  THE   COUNTRY.      .  .  ^  234 

CHAPTER  IX. 

FIRST      MISSIONARY     REPORT  -  USAGES     OF     THE     PREACHERS 

oZrr^Lo^r"'''""  -  ^^^^^^^^  -  -B^BurNG  z 

MASON      ?. .      -         "^''''  "^^^'^^^  -  «=«««=  ^««^=^  -  JOHN 
MASON-LACK  OF  SCHOOLS  IN  NEWFOUNDLAND -NEWFOUND 

FOR  18^4 -ADAAi  NIGHTINGALE -JOHN  BOYD,    .  .  .  .253 

CHAPTER  X. 

SEALS  AND  THE  SEAL-FISHERY  -  VARIETIES  OF  THE  SEAL  -  r-TF,. 
OF  THE  SEALERS  -  RELIGIOUS  SERVICES  -  ANECDOTE  -  /  ToD 
OF  TAKING  SEALS-  SABBATH-BREAKINO  AT  THE  ICE-RETURN 
OF  VESSELS  -  NUMBER  OF  SEALS  TAKEN-NUMBEB  OF  VESSELS 
EMPLOYED  -  SIZE  AND  CHARACTER  OF  SEALING-VESSELSr  273 

CHAPTER  XI. 

MISSION  TO  THE  LABRADOR  INDIANS  -  MORAVIAN  MISSION-ADAM 
CLABK    AVAUD-NEWFOU.NDLAND    DISTRICT- THOm!s    mCK 
SON^    MISSION -RICHARD    KNIGHt'S    MISSION -GEORGE    E^ 
.rOGE'S    MISSION -CHARLES    BATE  -  WITHDRAWAL^r  XH^ 


288 


CHAPTER  XII. 


THE  RED  iNm^NS-THE^R  HABITS  -  KILLED  BY  WHITE  MEN  -  AT- 

MA«c»  """^   "^""^    MEN -CAPTAIN    BUCHAN  -  MARY 

MARCH  -  THREE  LOST  INDIANS  SEEN-  SHANANDITHIT  305 


CHAPTER  Xni. 

""ZIZMZZZTT  -«-— —  OHO. 

-Da.XOWNLEY        m/«       '  «^"^«^^«--^EPH  BUTTERWORTH 
««.  XOWNLEY—  MISSIONARY  INCOME  FOR  1828 

f  •  •  • 


819 


XII 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

IHSTKUCTIONS  TO  MISSIONARIES  ~  TBAVELLINO  IN  NEWFOUNDLAND 

-  KEMOVAL8  —  SUMMER  TRAVELLING  —  WINTER  TRAVELLING 

—  A   JOURNEY    OVER    THE     COUNTRY  —  JOURNEY    OF    MESSRS. 
KNIGHT  AND  TOMKINS  —  JOURNEY  OF  JAMES  HICKSON,         .  337 

CHAPTER  XV. 

CUSTOMS  —  MODE    OF  TRANSPORT  —  DRINKING  HABITS  —  HOUSES  — 
—  WEDDINGS  —  FUNERALS  —  LITl^RATURE  —  EDUCA- 


GARDENS 

TION  — O.    F.     ALLISON  — SACKVILLB     ACADEMY  —  ST.    JOHNS 

ACADEMY, 


347 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

CHURCHES  -  PREACHING  —  SINGING  —  SABBATH  SCHOOLS-PRAYER- 
MEETINGS  — RELIGIOUS  STATE  —  STATIONS  FOR  1836  — MALIG- 
NANT QUINSY  —  REVIVAL  IN  BIRD  ISLAND  COVK  —  FAMINE,  .  871 


I  % 


II  i 


CHAPTER  XVn. 

BEMOVAL  OF  THE  WRITER  —  STATIONS  FOR  1835  —  WILLIAM  MURRY 

—  DR.  WARREN  — EXTENSION  OF  THE  NEWFOUNDLAND  MISSION 

—  VISITING  MISSIONARIES  —  WESTERN  SHORE  —  GREEN  BAY  — 
STATIONS  FOR  1845  — JABEZ  INGHAM  — JAMES  NORRIS  — JOHN 
SNOWBALL  —  WILLIAM  MARSHALL  —  RICHARD  WILLIAMS  —  LAB- 
RADOR-CANADA CONFERENCE- NEWFOUNDLAND  BIBLE  SO- 
CIETY —  FLY-SHEET  AGITATION  —  MISSIONARY  INCOME  FOR 
1862  —  FRENCH  CONFERENCE  —  AUSTRALASIAN  CONFERENCE  — 
CONFERENCE  OF  EASTERN  BRITISH  AMERICA  —  JOHN  BEECHAM, 

P.  D.  —  STATIONS  OF  NEWFOUNDLAND  DISTRICT,  .  •  -897 


CHAPTER  XVIII. 

ROBERT  A.  CHESLEY  — NEW  CHAPEL  IN  ST.  JOHNS  -  GREEN  BAY 
CIRCUIT  —  MISSIONS  OF  CONFERENCE  —  MT..  COMBEN'S  MIS- 
SION TO  LABRADOR— MR.  FOX— MR.  GOODISON  —  PRESIDENT 
BOYCE  —  THOMAS  GAETZ  —  W.  S.  SHENSTONE  —  JUBILEE  OF  THE 
WESLEYAN  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY  —  JUBILEE  MOVEMENT  IN  THE 
B.  B.  A.  CONFERENCE  -  JUBILEE  MEETING  IN  ST.  JOHNS,  NEW- 
FOUNDLAND—PRESIDENT THORNTON  — REV.  ROBINSON  SCOTT 
—  STATIONS  FOR  1364  —  MEMBERS  IN  NEWFOUNDLAND,        .  •  416 


rinvf<T.nniOJI. 


.  481 


NEWFOUNDLAND  AND  ITS  MISSIONARIES. 


i 
1 

i. 

J 

1 

■ 

EESCRIPTIOI 


PART   I. 


NEWrOUNDLA])^D. 

EEflCRIPTIOW    OF    THE    COUNTRY: 


WITH  ITS   CIVIL    HISTORY 
AND  STATISTICS. 


Al^ 


GBOORAPH 
TJ 


THE 
nor 
of  St.  I 
N.  Lat., 
It  is  sepj 
west,  by 
is  not  mi 
ern  poini 
ton. 
•      Nevvfoi 
part  of  A 
the  west  c 
of  the  har 
preaches 
Quirpon  ] 
Race   to 


NEWFOUNDLAND 


A^D    ITS    MISSIONARIES, 


CHAPTER    I. 

THE  COASTS-  DIST.USCES  TO  THE  PRINCIPAL  TOWXS. 

npHE   Island  of  Newfoundland   is   situated  on  the 
J-    north-east  side  of  the  main  entrance  to  the  Gulf 
ot   bt.  Lawrence,    between  46<^  40'  and  51o  40'  20" 
^.  Lat.,  and  between  52°  44'  and  59°  31' W  Lone 
It  IS  separated  from  Labrador,  on  the  west  and  north- 
west by  the  Strait  of  Belle  Isle,  which,  in  one  place, 
IS  not  more  than  twelve  miles  wide.     Its  south-west- 
ern pomt  reaches  to  within  fifty  miles  of  Cape  Bre- 
ton* 

'  Newfonndland  is  the  nearest  land  to  Europe  of  any 
part  of  America.  The  distance  from  Port  Valentia,  on 
the  we.t  coast  of  Ireland,  to  Cape  Spear,  at  the  entrance 
of  the  harbor  of  St.  Jqhns,  is  1656  miles.  Its  figure  ap- 
preaches  an  equilateral  triangle,  having  its  apex  ^ 
Qnirpon  Island,  m  the  north,  and  its  base  from  Cape 
Race   to   Cape    Ray.     Its   length,  from  Cape   Race, 

(") 


t 

% 

18 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


its  south-east  point,  to  Cape  Norman,  its  north-west 
point,  if  measured  on  a  strai^^ht  line,  is  about  three 
hun(h-ed  and  fifty  miles  ;  but,  if  measured  on  a  curve, 
it  is  four  hundred  and  nineteen  miles.  Its  width,  from 
Cape  Race  to  Cape  Ray,  is  about  three  hundred  miles ; 
and  its  entire  circuit  is  little  short  of  one  thousand 
miles.  Its  whole  surface,  including  its  peninsulas  and 
its  numerous  islands,  has  been  variously  estimated  from 
36,000  to  57,000  square  miles.  The  latter  estimate  is 
nearer  the  truth.  This  gives  it  an  area  about  as  large 
as  England  and  Wales,  and  twice  the  area  of  New 
Brunswick.  The  population,  according  to  the  census 
in  1857,  was  122,638. 

The  deep  Bays  of  Placentia  and  Trinity,  separated 
only  by  a  narrow  isthmus,  form  a  large  peninsula 
called  Avalon,  which,  because  of  its  extended  frontage 
on  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  and  the  excellency  of  the 
fisheries  on  its  coast,  is  the  most  thickly  inhabited,  and, 
in  a  commercial  view,  is  the  most  important  part  of 
Newfoundland. 

St.  Johns,  the  capital,  is  in  Avalon :  it  is  situated  in 
47°  33'  29"  N.  Lat.,  and  52°  45'  10"  W.  Long.  The 
harbor  is  very  spacious  and  secure :  it  has  ninety  feet  of 
water  in  the  middle,  and  is  accessible  at  all  seasons 
of  the  year.  It  has  a  commodious  floating  dock,  where 
vessels  of  six  hundred  or  seven  hundred  tons  may  be 
repaired. 

The  entrance  is  called  the  Narrows,  which,  at  the 
sea  surface,  is  three  hundred  and  sixty  fathoms  across  ; 
but,  at  the  Chain  Rock,  it  is  only  two  hundred 
and  twenty  yards  to  the  Pancake.  On  the  north 
side  is  a  precipitous  cliff  of  sandstone  and  slate  rock, 
three  hundred  feet  high,  above  which  is  Signal  Hill, 
surmounted  with  a  citadel,  five  hundred  and  ten  feet 


ST.    JOHNS. 


19 


above    the    sea   level       n«     *u 
or  mounfain,  rises    a  •  u.^l  T^  ''"'^'  "   >■'"• 

hundred    tee;,  tin      a 'i  '^   '^     ';'«'"    "^   - 
water,     on     ;,„-eh   Is    e^    ed    a  7" ul  "^^    "" 

Her    It    imnossib  e   for    h™t;io    .1  •        . 

l-arbor.     The  citv  J   Lll  i^T        ^^    '"    *"'<"    "«' 

and  supplied  with  waT    filTa      k     c!   1  T "'  ^"' 
•nile    Pond,    distant   from  d,e  c  tv  \  /"T'^" 

"iles.     Ti.ewate..orKjres::d7ha'rer.80oS 
five  per  cent.     The  population,  in  1857,  was  24  851 

St.  Johns  is  a  place  of  great  business.  I„  summer 
the  harbor  presents  a  forest  of  masts.  The  stlrrare 
handsome  and  well-sunnU..^      Tk  '  ™ 

in  the  town  T  "PP"r- ,  ^''^.-^  are  nme  churches 
m  the  town.  The  prmcipal  editices  are,  an  elecrant 
Roman  Cathohc  Cathedral,  and  an  English  Cath£ 

three  Protestant  Academies, -the  Wefleyan,  th   E^' 
copahan,  and  the  General  Protestant  •  „l        ^*'P" 
Catlinlir.  P„ii„  J  ^  roiestant ,  also,  a  Roman 

Oathohc  College  and  Convents;  Normal  School ;  Me- 

tT  mT"''  ''  ""^P""'  '■  Lunatic  A  ClI 
Banks;  Market  and  Court  House.  The  Govtrnmel' 
House  ,s  a  plam  but  commodious  stone  ^,11^ Xh 
cost  over  £60,000  sterling.  There  is  a  hlJ 
granite  building  for  the  Colonia'  I  mbl^ThTr: 
are  sevc-al  institutions  for  charitable  purpoes  lo 
rrSn""''  -'-•  -•*  ^   P-'^^c  lU  at; 


20 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND    1T8   MISSIONARIES. 


ii 


The  soil  in  the  vicinity  is  siHcious  and  rocky ;  but, 
with  great  expense  and  labor,  several  thousand  acres 
have  been  brought  into  a  state  of  cultivation  ;  so  that 
the  once  dreary  "  barrens,"  in  the  rear  of  the  town, 
are  now  traversed  with  good  roads,  studded  with  neat 
cottages,  adorned  with  fine  gardens,  and  ample  returns 
are  received  for  outlay  and  agricultural  toil. 

EASTERli    COAST. 

Leaving  the  harbor  of  St.  Johns  for  the  south  at  the 
distance  of  eight  miles  we  come  to  Cape  Spear,  the 
most  eastern  point  of  the  Island.     A  light-house  on  its 
point  informs  the  anxious  fisherman  of  his  proximity  to 
the  metropolis.     Eighteen  miles  from  Cape  Spear,  we 
arrive  at  Bay  Bulls,  and,  passing  Ferriland,  we  reach 
Cape  Race,  the  south-east  point  of  the  Island.     It  is 
sixtv  miles  from  St.  Johns,  and  lies  in  46°  40'  N.  Lat., 
and'  53°  8'  W.  Long.     It  is  at  this  place  the  Cunard 
steamers  land  the  mail,  on  their  way  from  Liverpool  to 
Halifax.     Here  the  land  trends  to  the  westward ;  and 
after  passing  Trepassey  Bay,  at  the  distance  of  twentjr- 
five  miles  from  Cape  Race,  we  come  to  St.  Shotts,  the 
most  dangerous  place  on  the  whole  coast  ;  dangerous 
not  because  of  either  sunken  rocks  or  shoal  water,  but 
because   of  the  irregular   current   and  undertow,  oc- 
casioned by  the  two  great  tidal  waves,  one  of  which 
had  rolled  along  from  the  north,  and  was  the  result  of 
the  previous  tide ;  the  other,  the  tidal  wave  that  had 
followed  the  moon  across  the  Atlantic.     These  great 
tidal  waves  are  here  confluent ;  hence  the  irregular  cur- 
rent, so  fatal  to  life  and  property. 

Leaving  St.  Shotts,  we  come  to  the  first  of  the  great 
bays :  it  is  St.  Mary's  Bay.  Its  course  is  north-north- 
east ;  its  length  is  thirty-five  miles  ;  and  its  breadth, 


HARBORS    AND    ISLANDS.  21 

from^  St.  ShotU   to  Point   Lance,  about   twenty-five 

After  passing  Cape  St.  Xxry\  the  great  Bay  of 
Placentm  opens  to  view  :   it  U  forty-five  miles   mdl 

Plaeentia  Harbor  ,s  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  bav 

Haibor  of  St.  Lawrence  ;  and  five  leagues  up  the  bav 
;a  the  spac,ous   Inlet  and   Harbor  of  "Burin"^    Many 
.slands,  and  dusters  of  islands,  are  found  in   this  bay 
as  tl^  Flat  Islands,  Paradise,  Isle  of  Valen,  Wool' 
Is  and   Barren  Island,  Sound  Island,  and  man;  let 
The  Ragged  Wands  are  said  to  be  three  hundred  and 
■xty-fiven,  number;   and  Great  Merasheen  Island  is 
twenty-one   nnles   long.     At  the  head  of  the  bay 
C  me   by   Chance  Harbor,  from  whence   it    is  Ily 
three  rndes  to  Bay  Bulls'  Arm,  in  Trinity  Bay.     U 

Ivion"""""  """"™  "'■'"=''  ^°'™'  'he  Peninsula  of 

Point  May  is   the   south-western  extremity  of  the 
Penmsula,  which    separates    Placentia   and  Vtune 

w  •  ITT  ""'^  '  ""'■'^  "''^^  ''''^'  ^"^  --  y 

Zf:        n      .  „'"'''"'    "^"'^  "'«    "'e    harbor,  of 
Fortane,  Grand  Bank,  and  Great  Garnish,  only  fit  for 

small  craft     On  the  western  shore  are  the  fine  wl 
of  Jersey  Harbor  and  Harbor  Britain. 

Isltds"'ofTT'   °^^°^>"-   Boy  are  the  French 
IsUnds  of  St.  Pierre,  Langley,  and  Miquelon.      St. 

ff  the  ''  :  'T  '•  rl^  '^'^"'''  ^""'"^  rises 'abruptly  ou 
of  the  water  to  the  height  of  near  four  hundred  feet 
on  the  eastern  side  of  which  is  the  harbor.  Here  is 
the  seat  of  government  for  the  French  portion  of  New- 
foundland. A  ship  of  war  is  here  usually,  and  t^. 
jjoiice    regulations    ar-    • -  *  -    "'- 


'        I 

!     I 

!        i 

i        f 

1 


very 


Langley    and 


22 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MI8aiONAIlIE8. 


Il'lll 


Miquelon  are  to  thr  north  of  St.  Pierre.  They  were 
forinorly  two  ihUw^  sej  vsalcd  hy  a  narrow  channel 
which  is  now  «»M  i'  u  and,  but  tue  nea  still  occasion- 
ally rolls  over  th«  isthmub. 

From  F'l'Une  Bay  there  is  a  straight  lint  (»f  coast, 
called  th<>  Wetitti  n  Shore  :  it  is  upwards  of  one 
hundred  mvl^   in    length,   and   terminates    at   Cape 

Ray. 

On  the  Western  Shore  there  are  several  good  harbors 
and  great  numbers  of  islands,  as  the  Western  Penguins, 
Ramlo  Islands,  Burgeo  Islands,  La  Poil  Bay,  Port  au 
Basque,  noted  as  among  the  best  fishing  stations  on  the 
island.  Cape  Ray  is  the  most  western  point  on  the 
island  :  it  lies  N.  Lat.  47°  36'  49",  and  59°  21'  0"  W. 

Long. 

From  Cape  Ray  along  the  entire  north-west  coast, 
including  the  whole  length  of  the  Strait  of  Belle  Isle 
•  )  Q«  rpon  Island,  and  up  the  eastern  shore  to  Cape 
John,  vv  hich  is  the  northern  point  of  the  great  Bay  of 
Notre  Dame,  the  coast  lino,  extending  more  than  four 
hundred  miles,  belongs  to  the  French,  and  is  usually 
called  the  French  Shore.  The  French  Shore  is  the 
«  Garden  of  Newfoundland,"  as  its  soil  is  well  adapted 
to  agriculture.  Moreover,  it  has  the  most  proHfic 
fishing-grounds ;  and  what  is  of  great  importance  m 
conne^ction  with  the  fishery,  it  has  no  fog,  so  that  its 
climate  is  far  more  suitable  for  "  making  fish  "  than  are 
those  portions  of  the  country  that  belong  to  the  Crown 

of  Britain. 

How  the  French  came  to  occupy  so  large  a  portion 
of  the  Island,  will  be  understood  from  the  treaties  made 
at  different  times  b.  tween  England  and  France.  The 
first  treaty  between  '"^f-.  nations,  in  reference  to  New- 
foundland, was  th< '  :    ^atv  .  .f  Utrecht,  made  in  the 


TREATIES. 


23 


year  1713.     In  this  treaty,  it  was  agreed,  that  «  New- 
foundhitul,  with  its  adjacent  islands,  shall,  from  ^his  time 
forward,  heioncr  of  ri^dit  wholly  to  Great  Britain;  nor 
shall  the  Most  Christian  Kin^r,  wis  heirs  and  successors, 
or  any  of  their  subjects,  at  anytime  liereaft.i    lay  claim 
to  aiij  right  to  the  said  island  or  islands,  or  any  part  of 
•     it  or  them."    The  Treaty,  however,  gave  permission  to 
the   French  to   catch  and   cure  fish    on  the  northern 
coast,  from  Cape  Bonavista  to  Point  Rich,  but  forbids 
their  erecting   any  buildings  except  those   that  were 
necessary  for  the  prosecution  of  tlie  fishery.     Article 
13  reads,   "  Moreover,  it  shall  not  be  lawful  for  the 
subjects  of  France    to  fortify  any  place    in  the   said 
island  of   Newfoundland,  or   to    erect   any    buildinL^s 
there,  besides  stages  made  of  boards,  and  huts  necet 
sary  and  usual  for  drying  fish  ;  or  to  resort  to  the  said 
Is  and  beyond  the  time  necessary  for  fishing  and  drying 
fish.     But  It  shall  be  allowed  to  the  subjects  of  France 
to  catch  fish,  and  dry  them  on  land  in  that  part  only 
Tl  "V  "«^  «ther    besides    that,   of    the    said   Island 
of  Newfoundland,  which  stretches  from  the  place  called 
Cape   Bonavista,  to    the   northern   point  of  the  said 
Island,  and  from  thence,  running  down  bv  the  west- 
ei^^^side,   reaches   as   far  as   the   place   cdled   Point 

For  fifty  years,  the  only  right  the  subjects  of  France 
had  was  the  privilege  of  fishing  on  the  northern  coast, 
ond  drymg  their  fish  on  the  shore ;  but  they  were  not 
aJ.arved  to  e.-ect  any  permanent  buildings,  or  even  to 
remain  there  during  the  winter  season.  But  in  the 
year  1763,  a  second  Treaty  was  made,  called  the 
Ireaty  of  Paris,  which  concedes  to  the  French 
the  liberty  to  fish  in  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrenco,  wifhi- 
three  leagues  of  the  British  coast  ;  and  it  also  cedes 


24 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   IT3    MISSIONARIES. 


to  France  the  Islands  of  St.  Pierre  and  Miquelon,  as 
a  shelter  for  their  ships,  and  to  keep  a  police  guard, 
but  it  forbids  the  fortification  of  those  islands,  or  any 
erections  except  for  the  fishery.  We  extract  the  fol- 
lowing from  the  Treaty  of  Paris,  1763  :  — 

"  Article  5.  The  subjects  of  France  shall  have  the  liberty 
of  fishing  and  drying  fish  on  a  part  of  the  coasts  of  the  Island  of 
Newfoundland,  such  as  is  specified  in  the  Thirteenth  Article  of 
the  Treaty  of  Utrecht,  which  article  is  renewed  and  confirmed 
by  the  present  treaty;  and  His  Britannic  Majesty  consents  to 
leave  to  the  subjects  of  the  Most  Christian  King  the  liberty  of 
fishing  in  the  Gulf  of  St,  Lawrence,  on  condition  that  the  sub- 
jects of  France  do  not  exercise  the  said  fishery  but  at  the  dis- 
tance of  three  leagues  from  all  the  coasts  belonging  to  Great 
Britain,  as  well  those  of  the  continent  as  those  of  the  islands  situ- 
ated in  the  said  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence. 

"  Article  6.  The  King  of  Great  Britain  cedes  the  Islands 
of  St.  Pierre  and  Miquelon,  in  full  right,  to  his  most  Christian 
Majesty,  to  serve  as  a  shelter  to  the  French  fishermen ;  and  his 
said  most  Christian  Majesty  engages  not  to  fortify  the  said  islands, 
to  erect  no  buildings  upon  them  but  merely  for  the  convenience 
of  the  fishery,  and  to  keep  upon  them  a  guard  of  fifty  men  only 
for  a  police." 

From  the  Treaty  of  Paris,  in  1T63,  the  French  have 
had  possession  of  the  Islands  of  St.  Pierre  and  Migue- 
lon,  except  in  time  of  war. 

In  the  year  1783,  a  third  treaty  was  made,  called 
the  Treaty  of  Versailles,  which  changed  the  French 
line  of  coast  from  Cape  Bonavista  to  Point  Rich. 
This  treaty  fixed  the  south-east  point  of  the  French 
coast  of  Cape  St.  John,  which  is  to  the  north  of 
Notre  Dame  Bay ;  and  conveying  the  line  north, 
round  Quirpon  Island,  thence  down  the  Strait  of 
Belle  Isle  and  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  it  ter- 
minated   at  Cape    Ray,   which    has    ever   since    been 


CAPES   AND   BAV3. 


25 


its  so,,th-west  boundary.     We  make  the  following  ex- 
tract from  the  Treaty  of  Versailles,  1783  :  - 

nations  of  En.,lancl  a„,l  vJll  ^""="  '"""■«'"'  "-e 

fishing  wuioh  SeCto  z:7z:^rT'  -r "?-'  -^ 

.ho  treaty  of  Ut  Jh,  fron>  Ca^e  BonL^t, t^t  sT t."' 

i^at,  and  His  Majesty  the  Kino  of  Oi-eaf  R-;..- 
his  part,  that  the  fishery  assi^n^d  .0    he  1  T  T^-"'"'  '"' 
Christian  Majesty,  beginning  a"    he    aid  cfpe^rjl  '"  "™' 
to  the  north,  and  descending  hv  .1,!       .       ^  ^"'  P^^'^S 

of  Newfoundland,  shlu  :Sdt  h  IClJCclX  '"^"^ 

ri;:.^':::  fatted^?:  £%^~f  ^^^ 

Having  given  the  information  as  to  the  way  in  which 
the  trench  came  to  possess  such  a  large  part  o7Ae 
country,  we  shall  proceed  with  our  geogra' ill  survey 

An?u  lie  if  ;r        7  "  "^-ghboring  cape  called  Cape 
Anguille,  ,s  the  southern  point  of  the  spacious  Bay  of 
St  George,  wh.ch  ,s  near  forty  miles  wide  at  the  mof.th 
and  sevemy  miles  long.    In  this  bay  there  are  severTfine 
s  reams  of  water  ;  there  is  a  salt  spring  on  the  sou  h 

at  the   head   of   the   bay.      A   number   of   Micmac 

and  those  who  have  made  explorations  into  the  interfo 
fiom   hence,  report  it  as  mountainous,  abounding  in 
small  nv^rs,  extensive  lakes,  and  g:.ssy  plains.       ^ 

A  few  miles  to  the  north  of  St.  George's  Bay  and 
separated  from  it  by  a  narrow  isthmus,  is  tlfe  magnificent 
double  harbor  of  Port-au-Port.  said  to  be  sulcieX 
8  -^ 


.1 


i 


26 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


|.:il 


spacious  to  afford  good  anchorage  and  perfect  security 
from  storm  to  all  the  ships  in  the  British  navy. 

Passing  Port-au-Port,  and  steering  north-east,  at  the 
distance  of  twenty  miles  we  reach  the  Bay  of  Islands ; 
so  called,  because  of  some  clusters  of  islands  at  its  en- 
trance. It  is  about  twelve  miles  wide  ;  and  passing  up 
the  bay  it  is  seen  to  divide  into  three  arms,  and  the 
south-east  arm  is  called  the  Humber  Sound.  This  is 
the  embouchure  of  the  River  Humber,  the  largest 
river  known  in  the  Island.  The  land  is  good  and  well 
wooded.  The  region  around  St.  George's  Bay,  and 
the  Bay  of  Islands,  is  the  richest  and  best  part  of  New- 
foundland. We  shall  therefore  pause  here  to  give  the 
reader  some  further  information  in  reference  to  this 
interesting  district. 

Mr.  Jukes  landed  near  Crab's  River,  on  the  south 
side  of  St.  George's  Bay,  on  the  11th  of  September, 
1839.     He  describes  the  country  in  that  vicinity  "  as 
gently  undulating,  with  a  fine  short  turf,  not  unlike 
Rome  English  landscapes."     The  place  of  his  debarkation 
was  the  mouth  of  a  brook,  which  he  describes  as  "  a  very 
pretty  spot,  with  green  meadows  on  each  side  of  the 
brook,   and  a   few   neat   houses   clustered  under   the 
shelter   of    a   rising  bank,   covered  with   green   turf. 
Geese  were  feeding  on  the  grass,  ducks  and  poultry 
were  scattered  about,  and  a  few  cows  and  some  sheep 
gave  it  all  the  appearance  of  a  pastoral  scene  at  home. 
From  the  rising  ground  in  the  rear  of  the  houses,  the 
view  was  very  beautiful.     A  tract  of  low,  undulating 
land,  covered  with  a  rich  sea  of  wood,  stretched  away 
into  the  interior  for  fifteen  or  twenty  miles,  and  was 
backed  by  a  range  of  blue  hills  in  the  horizon,  that  rose 
toward  the  south-west,  while    toward    the    north-east 
they  died  away,  and  coalesced  with  the  hills  at  the  head 


t 


FRKNCH   SHORE. 


27 


i 


of  the  bay.     The  wood  was  not  of  that  sombre  hue  so 
genera  y  seen  in  Newfoundland,  but  was  patched  with 

he  hght  green  of  the  birch,  and  what  the  colonists  call 

he  «ntch  Aa.el,  the  barm,  and  the  ap.,  and  probab  " 
the  ash  was  present  there."  Mr.  Jukes  considered  the 
nch-bok,ng  valley  of  the  brook,  with  its  b  J  wlteL 
wmdmg  away  into  the  woods,  as  "  completin'g  am" 
lovely  and  most  English  picture  "  ^        «  a  most 

But    unfortunately    this    fine    country  is    on    the 
French  Shore;    and   while    the    French^re  Zt  2! 

;rLShtoTeirf;  ■:Lr~' -"'-^^^^ 

^.^iujng     a-~ 

po  t  of  f.;r"'  '';;  '^"'''"-     ^'""  *«  «ffieial  re- 
port of  Cptam  Granville  Lock,  R.  N.,  we  make  the 

fol  ow,ng  ext,.ct,  which  will  show  the  condition  of 

the  B„t,sh   settlement   i„   St.   George's   Bay      The 

report  IS  dated  October  2,  1848 :  — 

"  The  inhabitants  consist  of  Encrlial.  >  «.™  t  •  i. 

spirit  of  the  t^;Z^:~'  "  '^"^  '■^''^'^''  '«'"-'  "■" 

statton.     There  are  some  British  settlers  on  its  shores 

non    whom  an  anarchy  reigns  similar  to  that  exisS 
at  C5t.  Ueorge  s  Bay.  ° 

Proceeding  along  the  French  Shore,  from  the  Bay 


28 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


of  Islands  seven   leagues,  we   come   to  Bonne   Bay, 
which  is   a   good    harbor,   but  of    difficult   entrance. 
Seventy   miles   further   is   Ingornachoix  Bay,  which 
contains  three  good  harbors,  the  chief  of  which  is  Port 
Saunders,  a  spacious  inlet,  so  landlocked  that  ninety  or 
one  hundred  vessels  may  lie  in  perfect  security  in  every 
wind  ;  yet  not  inhabited,  because  it  is  not  a  good  fishing 
station.     A  few  miles  to  the  north  of  Ingornachoix 
Bay  is  Point  Rich,  which  was  the  terminus  of  the 
French   Shore  on   Belle   Isle    Strait,  until  the  year 
1783.      Round  Point   Rich   is  St.  John's   Bay,  into 
which  a  considerable  stream,  called  Castor  River,  dis- 
charges its  waters. 

We  now  enter  the   Strait  of  Belle  Isle,  which  is 
fifty  miles   long,  and   in  some  places  scarcely  twelve 
miles   wide.      The   Newfoundland    coast,    along    this 
Strait,  is  rough,  and  contains  no  harbor  of  importance. 
Cape  Norman  is  the  north-west  point  of  the  Island : 
it   lies  51°  39'  5"  N.  Lat.,  and  bQ"  2'   0"  W.  Long. 
Twenty-eight  miles  north-north-east  from  Cape  Norman 
is  Belle  Isle  Island,  from  which  the  strait  derives  its 
name.     This  island  is  a  good  fishing  station,  and  is 
claimed  as  part  of  the  French  Shore.     Quirpon  Island 
is  the  northern  point  of  Newfoundland  :  its  position  is 
61°  40'  20"  N.  Lat.,  and  55°  27'  50". W.  Long. 

The  course  is  now  nearly  south  to  Hare  Bay,  a  gulf 
which  intersects  the  land  for  two  thirds  of  its  breadth, 
and  which,  near  the  head,  branches  off  into  numerous 
arms  and  coves,  sheltered  by  lofty  hills,  which  pour 
their  torrents  into  the  bay. 

Proceeding  south,  we  next  reach  White  Bay,  after 
passing  several  good  and  much  frequented  harbors. 
Whit^Bay  is  about  twenty  miles  wide,  and  runs  into 
the  land  south-west  for  sixty=five  miles.     The  next 


THE   COAST. 


29 


prominent  land  south  of  White  Bay  is  Cape  St.  John 
the  present  limit  of  the  French  Shore,  on  the  eastern 
side  of  the  island.     It  lies  north-east,  in  N.  Lat.  50° 
W.  Long.  55°  38'.  .  ' 

After  leaving  Cape  St.  John,  the  great  Bay  of  Notre 
Dame  opens   to  view.      This    bay  is  more  than  fifty 
miles  wide,  and  is  studded  with  islands.      Here  is  Long 
Island,  Sunday  Cove  Island,  Pilley's  Island,  Triton  Isl- 
and,  Twilhngate  Island,  New  World  Island,  the  Black 
Islands,  the  Burnt  Islands,  Change  Island,  Togo  Island, 
Indian  Islands,  Duck   Islands,  Wadham  Islands,  the 
I'engmn  Islands,  and  very  many  others,  most  of  which 
are  good  fishing-stations,  and  afford  good  shelter   for 
vessels.      From  the  great  bay,  smaller  bays,  or  arms, 
run  mto  the  land  for  many  miles.     Green  Bay  runs  up 
near  twenty  miles,  and  Hall's  Bay  is  about  the  same 
length.     Both  these  bays  are  famous  hunting-grounds, 
from  whence  the  trappers  not  unfrequently  cross  the 
country  to  the  French  Shore  in  their  hunting  excursions, 
and  sometimes  go  over  the  straits  to  the  Labrador      To 
the  south  is  the  Bay  of  Exploits,  into  which  is  dis- 
charged  the  water  of  a  considerable  river  bearing  the 
same  name.     It  was  from  the  neighborhood  of  the  Riv- 
er Exploits,  that  Mary  March,  a  Red  Indian  female 
was  brought  to  St.  Johns  in  the  year  1819 

From  Notre  Dame  Bay,  the  course  is  south-east  to 
Cape  Freels  which  is  the  north  point  of  Bonavista  Bay. 
On  the  north  side  of  this  bay  are  also  many  small  bays 
and  numerous  islands.  Here  is  Green  Pond  Island, 
Fair  Islands,  and  Gooseberry  Islands.  Here  also  are  In- 
dian Bay  Trinity  Bay,  Locker  Bay,  Fresh-water  Bay, 
and  Bloody  Bay  ;  so  called  because  of  the  frequent  ren- 
counters between  the  aborigines  and  the  Europeans 
who  first  visited  these  shores.      On  the  south  is  Clode 


80 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


li 


1,51 


Sound,  which  indents  the  land  for  twenty-five  miles. 
Here  also  is  Goose  Bay  and  Indian  Arm.  On  this  shore 
likewise  are  the  harbors  of  Keels,  King's  Cove,  and  Bo- 
navista.  Bonavista  is  not  a  harbor  for  large  vessels  ;  and, 
in  heavy  storms,  it  is  only  an  indifferent  shelter  for  fish- 
ing-craft. It,  however,  contains  a  population  of  2000 
souls,  and  has  always  figured  in  the  history  of  the  coun- 
try. Cape  Bonavista  was  the  southern  limit  of  the 
French  shore  on  the  eastern  coast,  until  the  treaty  of 

Versailles  in  1783. 

A  few  miles  south  of  Cape  Bonavista,  is  the  Harbor 
of  Catalina ;  so  named  from  the  fact  that  Jacques  Car- 
tier,  the  French  navigator  and  explorer  of  lower  Canada, 
landed  there  in  1534.  Trinity  Bay  commences  at  Cat- 
alina, and  is  about  twenty-four  miles  wide,  and  seventy 
long.  Trinity  Harbor  is  twenty  miles  above  Catalina. 
It  is  a  spacious  haven,  easy  of  access,  safe  for  large  vessels, 
and  is  pronounced  by  nautical  men  one  of  the  best  har- 
bors in  the  island. 

The  town  of  Trinity  is  situated  on  a  level  spot  of 
land,  under  Rider's  Hill.     It  is  small,  but  neat,  and  the 
inhabitants  are  respectable  and  intelligent.      On    the 
north  shore  of  the  bay,  above  Trinity  Harbor,  are  the 
harbors  of  Bonavinture,  Ireland's  Eye,  Random  Sound, 
Heart's  Ease,  and  Bay  Bull's  Arm,  from  the  head  of 
which  it  is  only  three  miles  to  the  head  of  Come  by 
Chance  Harbor,  in  Placentia  Bay.     It  is  this  narrow 
isthmus  that  connects  the  peninsula  of  Avalon  with  the 
main  land.    It  was  in  Bay  Bull's  Arm  the  Atlantic  Ca- 
ble was  landed,  which,  by  some   unknown  cause  was 
broken  in  the  deep  sea.     On  the  south  side  of  the  bay, 
are  New  Harbor,  Heart's  Delight,  Heart's  Desire,  and 
Heart's  Content ;  the  last  named,  a  good  harbor,  and  is 
the  place  where,  it  is  said,  a  second  Atlantic  cable  will 


CONCEPTION   BAY. 


31 


have  Its  terminus.  Below  Heart's  Content,  are  New 
Perlican,  Hunt's  Harbor,  Old  Perlican ;  and  near  the 
south  ponit  of  the  Bay  is  Great's  Cove. 

About  two  leagues    east  from  Great's  Cove,  is  the 
north  end  of  Baccalao  Island,  the  most  famous  land- 
mark on  this  part  of  the  coast.     This  island  rises  abrupt- 
ly out  of  the  water  to  the  height  of  some  four  hundred 
feet.     It  is  bluff,  barren,  and  rocky,  without  inhabitants, 
save  the  turs,  the  gulls,  and   other   sea-birds    which* 
build  their  nests  in  its  clefts,  and  are  found  there  in 
countless  numbers.     They  are  generally  called  "  Bacca- 
lao birds  "  by  the  Newfoundlanders.     The  island  is  six 
miles  long.      It  is  said  to  have  been  the  land  first  seen 
by  Cabot  in  1497,  and  by  him  called  Prima  Vista ; 
but  It  was  afterwards  called  Baccalao,  which  means 
"codfish,"    because   of  the    immense    shoals   of  cod 
which  are  found  near  its  base. 

.  CONCEPTION  BAY. 

At  the  south  point  of  Baccalao  Island,  commences  this 
spacious  bay,  which  is  twenty  miles  wide,  and  fifly  miles 
long.     The  shore  around  Conception  Bay  is  generally 
bold ;  the  clifts  are  often  perpendicular ;  the  water  is 
deep  near  the  land,  while,  in  the  middle  of  the  bay,  the 
bottom  cannot  be  reached  with  ninety  fathoms  of  line. 
On  the  north  shore,  every  cove  and'inlet  is  inhabited* 
A  line  of  fishing-stages,  fishing-flakes,  and  oil-houses 
IS  erected  along  the  shore,  behind  which  peer  numer- 
ous neat-looking  villages,  with  school-houses  and  church- 
es ;  and,  in  the  rear,  a  succession  of  lofty  hills  tower 
above  each  other  until  they  reach  an  elevation  of  five 
hundred  feet,  often  terminating  in  conical  peaks,  and 
all  more  or  less  covered  with  shrubby  or  stunted  forest. 
The  numerous  cascades  which  pour  over  the  high  sea- 


32 


NEWFOUNni-AND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


wall,  the  multitude  of  fisliinrr-boats  in  the  distance,  and 
the  shoals  of  fish,  causing  an  agitation  of  the  water  for 
miles,  presents  to  the  beholder  an  appearance  that  is 
both  grand  and  majestic,  and,  withal,  truly  picturesque 
and  beautiful.  There  are  several  rising  towns  of  im- 
portance on  this  shore,  where  there  is  much  wealth  and 
intelligence  among  the  people. 

Carbonear  contains  a  population  of  some  four  thou- 
sand souls.  It  is  not  a  very  safe  harbor  at  all  times, 
being  exposed  to  an  easterly  wind.  It,  however,  has 
several  lariie  mercantile  establishments,  and  is  famous 
for  the  spirited  resistance  it  made  against  the  French 
forces  in  the  year  1G96,  and  again  in  1708. 

Harbor  Grace  is  three  miles  above  Carbonear,  with  a 
population  about  equal.  The  town  is  built  on  a  level 
spot  of  land.  Many  of  the  houses  are  very  good, 
•  which,  with  the  churches  and  other  public  buildings, 
give  an  impression  to  the  stranger  of  elegance  and  com- 
fort. The  harbor  is  good ;  and  vessels  may  ride  there 
in  all  winds  with  perfect  security. 

Above  Harbor  Grace,  are  Spaniard's  Bay,  Bay  Rob- 
erts, Port  De  Grane,  and  Brigus.  The  two  last-named 
places  are  of  much  importance,  and  have  large  popula- 
tions. 

Harbor  Main  and  Holy  Rood  are  at  tlie  head  of  the 

bay. 

On  the  south  shore  are  the  settlements  of  Topsail, 
and  Portugal  Cove,  so  called,  because  the  Portuguese 
first  landed  there  in  1525.  It  is  only  an  open  road- 
stead, in  which  even  small  craft  are  not  always  safe  in 
an  easterly  wind. 

In  approaching  Portugal  Cove  by  land  from  St.  Johns, 
the  scenery  is  strikingly  picturesque.  A  succession  of 
high  hills  on  each  side  tower  over  the  road,  and  shut 


HATS    AND   CAl'ES. 


88 


out  every  otl.or  object  except  the  village,  wl.iel,,  from 
this  stand-poiiit,  appears  very  beautiCil 

Oppodte  to  Portugal  Cove,  at  the  distance  of  fo„r 
m.los  a,ul  two  ve  n.iles  from  Harbor  Grace,  lies  a  love- 
ly  h«  e  IS  and,  called    Belle  Isle,  from  a  large  bell- 

MX  m,les  ong  and  ,s  perhaps  the  most  fertile  spot  in 
Newfoundland.  The  soil  is  a  deep,  rich,  black  earth, 
a..d  sehlom  requires  manure.  Wheat  grows  well,  and 
will  yield  twenty-fold.  Oats,  potatoes,  and  hay  also 
thrive  well ;  and  culinary  vegetables  of  all  kinds  grow 
luxuriantly.  ^ 

Conception  Bay  is  the  most  populous  and  the  most 
important  district  on  the  island.  Its  population  is  esti- 
mated at  25,000.  Here  reside  some  of  the  most 
wealthy  merchants  and  planters.  From  its  harbor 
every  spring,  hundreds  of  vessels  sail  for  the  ice  in' 
quest  of  seals  ;  and,  on  their  returning  from  their  sealing 

the  cod-fishery  on  the  Coast  of  Labrador ;  while  the 
ahore  fishery  is  followed  with  great  diligen  e  by  he 
wo     ave  not  the  means  of  fitting  ouffor  Lab^dor 

:"fir;e;r^''^^^ '-"'  ^'"'  *■-'  '"^  -- 

Cape  St.  Francis  is  the  southern  ^oundary  of  Con- 
ception Bay.     Its  posidon  is  given  as  47"  56'  45"  N 
Lat.,  and  52»  30'  0"  W.  Long.*-  It  is  high  bluff  lan^" 
covered  with  stunted  forest.  ' 

Four  leagues  south-south-east  from  Cape  St.  Francis 
we  arrive  at  Torbay,  where  there  is  a  conlderable  popu: 
1.1  ion,  but  It  IS  a  very  exposed  harbor.     A  number  of 


34 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


i;    n; 


r 


Nine  miles  from  Torliay,  we  arrive  at  Quidy-Widy 
Cove  and  the  harbor  of  St.  Johns. 

The  appearance  of  tlie  sea-coast  is  generally  rough 
and  uninviting  to  the  stranger.  Still  there  is  much  fine 
scenery,  and  many  fertile  spots  ;  while  British  skill  and 
industry  has  made  tracts  of  land,  formerly  barren,  to 
become  fruitful  gardens,  and  laid  the  foundation  of 
many  towns  and  villages,  which,  from  their  position, 
must  in  time  become  places  of  importance. 

The  eastern  coast,  from  Cape  Freels  to  Cape  Race, 
and  the  southern  coast,  from  Capo  Race  to  St.  Pierre's 
Island,  is  generally  bold,  and  the  water  is  deep,  witli 
comparatively  few  shoals  and  sunken  rocks  ;  but  to  the 
north-east  and  also  on  the  western  coast,  those  terrors 
to  the  weather-beaten  mariner  are  met  with  mach 
inore  frequently. 

Around  the  shores  of  Newfoundland,  besides  a  num- 
ber of  small  bays,  there  are  nine  magnificent  estuaries, 
varying  in  length  from  forty  to  near  one  hundred  miles, 
and  are  from  twenty  to  sixty  miles  in  width  at  their 
entrance,  which  deep  recesses  entice  the  finny  tribes  to 
seek  their  food  in  shoal  water  ;  by  which  simple  ar- 
rangement, a  kind  Providence  has  placed  the  boundless 
.  wealth  of  the  ocean  within  the  grasp  of  man. 

The  whole  coast  is  rocky  and  frequently  quite  pre- 
cipitous ;  occasionally,  however,  a  rough,  pebbly  beach 
forms  a  barrier  to  the  further  advance  of  the  ocean 
billows.  Bold  capes  and  lofty  headlands  are  constantly 
in  view  ;  and  the  streams  (brooks,  as  they  are  called) 
falling  from  these  lands  form  many  beautiful  cataracts  ; 
several  of  which,  miniature  imitations  of  the  great 
Niagara,  may  be  seen  on  the  bluffs  of  Belle  Isle 
Island  in  Conception  Bay. 

The  action  of  the  tide  is  little  fek  on  the  northern 


msTANCES. 


86 


and    eastern   coasts  ;   but,  on  the  western   coast,  the 
^<lal  wave  comes  with  considerable  power,  and  in  St. 
Georse  s  Bay  tho  water  rises  nine  feet  at  spring  tides, 
ihe  distances  to  the  principal  towns  are  as  follows: 
irom  St.  Johns  to  the  head  of  Conception  Bay, 
thirty  mdes  ;    to  Harbor  Grace,  sixty-thrce ;   Carbo! 
near  s.xty-seven  ;  Salmon  Core,  seventy-two ;  Bic  de 
Verds,  one  hundred  and  five  ;  Great's  Cove,  one  hnn- 
dreda„dth,rteen;  Bonavista,  one  hundred  and  forty- 
three  ;  Twdlmgate,  two  hundred  and  twenty.     From 

twentv      s'"  .f  "'"^'''  ^"'''  "•■""  "''"^^  '   '»  Topsail, 
twenty.     Southern  route  -  to  Great  Placentia,  eighty 

Burm,  one  hundred  and  fifty-two;    Harbor    Britain 

on,  hundred  and  ninety-seven ;  Burgeo,  three  hundred 

«nd  eight;    and  Cape   Bay,  four  hundred  and  rfx 


-vi 


CHAPTER    II, 


INTERIOR  —  HILLS  —  LAKES  —  MINERALOGY  —  OEOLOOT  —  CLIMATE  — 
SOIL  —  VBOETABLU  AND  ANIMAL  KINGDOM. 


1 


•1 


THE  interior  of  Newfoundland  remained  unexplored 
and  unknown  until  the  year  1823,  when  Mr. 
Cormack,  an  amateur  traveller,  accompanied  by  some 
Micmac  Indians,  traversed  the  country  from  Ran- 
dom Sound  in  Trinity  Bay,  and  going  nearly  west, 
reached  the  head  of  St.  George's  Bay.  The  account 
of  his  journey,  with  a  map,  is  found  in  the  Edinburgh 
Philosophical  Journal  for  January  1st,  1824.  He 
reported  the  country  he  passed,  which  was  a  line  of  at 
least  two  hundred  miles,  as  barren  and  rocky,  generally 
covered  with  moss  ;  much  intersected  with  streams  and 
lakes ;  and  thinly  wooded,  except  on  the  banks  of  the 
streams  and  on  the  margins  of  the  lakes.  He  gave 
names  to  a  number  of  lakes  and  prominent  hills  on  his 
route,  and  many  of  those  names  were  after  his  particu- 
lar friends;  thus  the  first  lake  he  called  Bennet's 
Lake,  after  a  respectable  merchant  in  St.  Johns,  and 
Carson's  Lake,  from  an  eminent  physician,  of  that 
name,  residing  in  the  same  town.  One  hill  he  named 
Mount  Sylvester,  another,  near  the  centre  of  the 
country,  he  called  Serpentine  Mountain  ;  a  few 
miles  to  the  north  of  which  he  called  a  solitary  hill, 
Red-Indian  Mountain  ;  and  one  near  Jameson's  Lake, 
Mount  Miserv. 

Mr.  Jukes,  the  o'eoloo'ist,  made  a  survey  of  various 

(36) 


NEWPOU.NDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES.  87 

part.oftlK,lsl„„,l  in  18;t9-10 ,  ,,i„ce  uhleh  time,  pai- 
■cular  l«o«l,t,o«  l,ave  boon  tn,voll..,l  and  surv,.;,l  so 
that  wo  are  o„ablo,l  t„  for.n  a  tol.Tably  con-cct  .j.in'ion 
of  ti.e  general  ajipearaneo  of  the  interior. 

THK  COAST, 

The  shore  is  everywhere  grooved  with  valleys  and 
ra,nes   bounded  by  hu.nmocky  knobs,  with  precii.ou 
and  roeky  hd,,  „any  of  which  are  snffieirntly  lofty 
to  pre,.|udo  all   view  of  the   interior  from   tlfe  sea! 
I  ho  woods  skn.t  the  shore,  and  are  very  stunted  n^ 
the  water;    but  the  tin.ber  inoreases  in  size   as   Z 

called   The   Uarrons,  whieh   are  an  immense   waste 
cons,st,ng  of  barren  rock,  or  rock  covered  vith  moL 
Also  extens,vo   marshes   or  savannas,  and   po.-uT.^ 
of  all   ,zes  and  figures,  around  which  patches  of  woods 

subsod.  On  the  barrens,  huge  boulders  are  met 
with,  and  masses  of  loose  stones,  as  though  put  th"re 
by  human  hands.  The  top  of  Bonaviste  Rid^e  ! 
a  place  where  these  loose  stones  are  found,  andl.ave 
been  strangely  called,  Noah's  Ballast.  In  the  hollow! 
are  the  tuchermore  bushes,  which  is  a  dwarf  junin  r 
-th  strong  branches  at  right  angles  to  the  ste'mTand 

r£:r::  ;'tT  ",^'7:'"^=  *^  "^^^  »^"'-  ■^-■"s 

tl  es  t  '  r  ^^  '"''  '^''™  "^'^P"^-  To  walk  upon 
these  tuckermores,  or  penetrate  their  branches  is 
equally  impracticable.  ' 

HILLS   AND   MOUNTAINS. 

The  district  of  Av.alon  is  hilly,-  we  would  say  moun- 

IZdZ  '''V''""r'  '^''^'''''  *<>  elevations  of 
land  not  exceeding  1000  or  1600  feet. 


/  'I  * 


38 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


¥  ill 


Besides  an  untold  number  of  isolated  rough  hills, 
there  are  two  remarkable  ranges  of  hills  in  Avalon. 
Each  range  is  about  thirty  miles  in  length.  The  first 
commences  at  Renews,  fifty  miles  south  of  St.  Johns, 
and  running  north-north-west,  terminates  at  Holyrood, 
in  Conception  Bay.  This  mountain  range  is  known  at 
Renews  by  a  number  of  rough  hummocks,  called  The 
Butter  Pots  :  they  are  1000  feet  high,  and  is  the  land 
first  seen  when  approaching  the  eastern  coast  from  sea. 
Passing  north  from  the  Butter  Pots,  we  come  to  more 
hummocks,  which  are  called  The  Bread  and  Cheese 
Hills  ;  and  on  the  west  side  are  the  Green  Hills. 
Near  Holyrood  are  several  other  hummocks,  which  also 
are  called  The  Butter  Pots. 

About  twenty  miles  west  from  the  Butler-Pot 
range,  is  a  second  range  of  hills,  which  commences  at 
Cape  Dog,  in  St.  Mary's  Bay,  and  terminates  near 
Chapel  Arm,  in  Trinity  Bay.  This  chain  has  in 
some  places  an  elevation  of  one  thousand  five  hundred 
feet :  it  is  less  broken  than  the  former,  has  a  more  con- 
tinuous outline,  and  many  of  the  hills  are  rounded  and 
flat  at  the  top.  Connected  with  this  range,  are 
Mount  Scapie,  near  Cape  Dog  ;  Sawyer's  Hill,  to  the 
south  of  Great  Placentia  ;  Cap  Hill ;  and  North-east 
Mountain,  to  the  east  of  Little  Placentia. 

The  main  land  is  equally  mountainous  with  the 
peninsula.  A  range  of  mountains  commences  at 
Cape  Chapeau  Rouge,  in  Placentia  Bay,  and  occupies 
a  large  part  of  the  peninsula  between  Placentia  and 
Fortune  Bays.  It  runs  the  entire  length  of  Placentia 
Bay  from  the  cape,  and  sometimes  it  approaches  the 
water,  and  forms  a  rough,  hummocky  sea-wall  ;  its  di- 
rection is  north-north-east  to  Piper's  Hole.  On 
the  opposite  side  of  that  harbor,  its  bluffs  again  appear  ; 


HILLS. 


39 


and  runnmoj  the  same  course,  it  strikes  Goose  Bay,  in 
Bonavista    B,y  :    here    an   oflshoot    curves    eastward 
^     Irmity    Lay,     and     past     Random     Sound      to 
Trmity  Harbor.     Taking  its  whole  length,  it  is  at  least 
one  hundred  miles.     This  range  is  often  much  broken, 
abrupt,  a.id  precipitous,  with  frequent  table-lands  and 
marshes  m  its  hollows  and  on  its  summits.     In  width 
It  IS  irregular;  but  sometimes  it  is  several  miles  wide. 
It  IS  a  peaked,  wild,  and  serrated  mass  of  hills     One 
^o  ated   peak,    called   Powder-Horn   Hill,    or  Centre 
Hill,  near  Bay  Bulls'  Arm,  in  Trinity  Bay,  has  an 
elevation  of  more  than  one  thousand  feet;  and  from 
the  top  of  It,  nearly  the  whole  of  Placentia  and  Trinity 
Bays  can  be  seen,  as  well  as  portions  of  Conception, 
Bonavista     and    Fortune   Bays.      The    land   in    the 
vicinity  of  this   range   consists   of  undulated   ridges, 
rising  from  three  hundred  to  five  hundred  feet  above 
the  sea,  and  is  often  covered  with  dense  woods. 

A  few  miles  to  the  westward  of  Green's  Pond,  is  an 
ISO  ated  ridge,  called  Fox  Harbor  Hills,  of  about  ten 
miles  in  length.  A  chain  of  hills  running  north-north- 
east  and  south-south-west,  the  south  part  of  which  is 
called  The  Heart  Ridge,  and  the  northern  part 
known  as  the  Blue  Hills,  is  between  Bonavista 
Bay  and  the  River  Exploits.  The  length  of  this 
Cham  IS  thirty  miles,  and  some  of  its  peaks  have  an 
elevation  of  one  thousand  feet. 

On  the  south  side  of  the  River  Exploits,  and  about 
Uurty  miles  from  its  mouth,  are  the  Sliute  Brook 
Hi  s ;  and  on  the  north  side  of  the  river  is  Hod^^es 
T-  'xT^n  *l'  "«^^h-east  of  which  is  the  West;,.! 
1  lit  Hill.  Several  of  these  hills  have  precipitous  sides, 
are  almost  of  a  square  form,  and  are  flat  at  their  sum- 
mits, oome  of  them  },ave  an  elevation  of  one  thousand 
reet. 


40 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


THE    LONG    RANGE. 

Near  Cape  Ray,  a  distinct  chain  of  mountains  com- 
mences with  three  conical  or  sugar-loaf  hills,  and  runs 
north-east  and  north-nortli-cast,  for  nearly  sixty  miles, 
until  it  reaches  the  head  of  St.  George's  Bay,  where 
it  expands  to  the  west,  and  forms  Hare  Hill.     It  then 
turns  to  the  north-east  again,  and  forms  the  north-west 
bank  of  Grand  Pond,  and  the  south-east  bank  of  Deer 
Pond  ;  and,  allowing  the  Humber  River  to  flow  through 
its  chasm,  it  runs  north  for  sixty  or  seventy  miles  further, 
then  resumes  its  north-east  course,  until  it  reaches  the 
north-east  coast,  and  forms  a  sea-wall,  in  White  Bay.    It 
is  called  the  Long  Range,  and  its  entire  length  is  up- 
ward of  two  hundred  miles.     Offshoots  from  the  Long 
Range  tend   to  the  west  until  they  reach  the  sea,  in 
that  direction,  where   they  form  bluifs  on  the  Gulf 
Shore.     These  hills  are  steep  toward  the  north-west, 
but  the  ascent  is  more  gradual  toward  the  south-east. 
There  is  a  belt  of  level  land  between  this  chain  of  hills 
and    the   sea,  of  considerable  width,  through   which 
the   rivers   drain   the    country.      Hare   Hill,  already 
noticed,  is  very  conspicuous  from  St.  George's  Bay, 
aiid   is   twenty   miles    north-east   from   St.    George's 
Harbor.      The    Blow-me-down    hills,    on    the    River 
Humber,  which   also   belong  to   this  chain,  have  an 
elevation  of  eight  hundred  feet. 

Many  other  isolated  mountains,  or  mountain  ranges, 
have  been  reported  ;  but  too  little  is  known  of  their 
extent  or  position  to  justify  any  notice  in  reference  to 

them. 

What  may  be  called  the  table  lands,  have  a  general 
elevation  of  three  or  four  hundred  feet.  On  these 
table  lands  grow  quantities  of  wild  grass,  and  berries 
in    crrpnt   vnriaty.     There    are    many    tracts  of  eood 


lAKES    AND    POND3. 


41 


wood-land  and  ooeasionully  n,ay  be  seen  a  spot  of 
arabe  lan.l  t  at  would  repay  the  labor  of  tl,e  agH  ul 
tumt ;  but  the  general  appearance  of  the  int^io  1 
wild,  rough,  and  barren. 

LAKES  AND  PONDS. 
Lakes,  or  ponds,  are  met  with  all  oyer  the  country 
valleys    on  the  higher  table-lands,  in  every  mountain 

he  h  ghest  lulls.     They  va.y  i„  si^e,  from  small  pools 

0  extended  sheets  of  water,  fifty  „r  sixty  miles  in  len' "th 

1  he  water  is  often  of  ..reat  denUi  Ti  •  ,  ,  »'"• 
well-wooded.  Islands,  Cett  '-sevtT  md  s^  t 
e^th    covered,  with  dense  forests,  give  the^    d 

Littll  P  ■     ^  '  '°P  "^  ^'"■"'-^^^'  Mountain,  near 

Litde  Plaeentia  sixty-seven  ponds  were  counted,  none 

Of  the  lakes  to  the  north  of  the  Island,  little  is  known 
nd  so  of  many  in  the  interior;  but,  of  those  which  Z' 

maae,  the  following  are  the  principal :  — 

RED-INDIAN    POND. 

S-     r"     '"    ^'''''    ""^'^    encampments    on 
marg,„.     It  ,,  „,„re   than  forty  miles  in   length, 


42 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


m     • 


(.  .■:    i 


and  five  or  six  in  width,  and  contains  a  number  of 
islands.  Its  north  point  is  about  thirty  miles  from 
Hall's  Bay,  at  the  head  of  Notre  Dame  Bay ;  and, 
ten  miles  from  thot  point,  it  is  crossed  by  the  49°  of 
north  latitude.  Ten  miles  from  its  southern  point  is 
Croaker's  Lake,  several  miles  long,  and  crowded  with 
islands.  The  water  from  Croaker's  Lake  runs  into 
Red-Indian  Pond.  These  ponds  are  the  head  waters 
of  the  River  Exploits. 

GANDER-BAY   POND. 

This  lake  is  twenty-three  miles  long,  but  is  narrow, 
and  has  a  ribbon-like  appearance  :  it  lies  a  few  miles 
north-west  from  Bonavista  Bay.  At  its  south-west 
point,  a  river  brings  the  waters  from  a  great  number 
of  small  ponds.  Its  outlet  is  north  to  Gander  Bay  ; 
and,  by  its  numerous  brooks,  it  drains  the  land  for 
seventy  or  eighty  miles.  . 

TERRA-NOVA   POND 

Is  twelve   miles   long,   and    discharges  itself   into 

Bonavista  Bay. 

The  ponds  on  Avalon  are  equally  numerous  with 
those  on  the  main  land;  but  they  are  not  so  large, 
because  the  water-sheds  are  less  extensive.  Twenty- 
mile  Pond,  near  St.  Johns,  is  a  fine  sheet  of  water ; 
and  the  Hundred-Island  Pond,  at  the  head  of  St. 
Mary's  Bay,  is  remarkable  for  the  number  of  its  islets. 


barrow's  lake 

Li  s  a  few  miles  south  of  McCormack's  track,  and 
the  65°  of  longitude,  and  passes  nearly  through  its 
centre  :  it  is  about  fourteen  miles  long,  and  discharges 
its  waters  into  the  north-west  arm  oi  r  ortune  Bay. 


LAKES    AND   PONDS. 


43 


Jameson's  i^ke 
Was  exactly  i„  Connack's  track,  and  he  crossed  it  • 

berpentme  Muuntan,   ,s  to  the  north-east  of  Jameson 
Lake,  and  Mount  Misery  on  the  south-west. 

LAKE    BATHURST. 

A  little  to  tlie  south  of  Mount  Misery  com- 
mences Lake  Bathurst,  and  lies  nearly  north-nlh  e" 
and  south-south-west.  The  57"  of  longitude  ZZl 
down  the  lake,  which  is  about  seventeen  Jles  lonCnd 
fivew,de.  It  has  a  number  of  islands.  A  brook  r'.ns 
from  ats  south  point,  which,  after  passing  through  a 
number  of  small  ponds,  discharges  L  ^^er.  into"  th! 
ocean,  on  the  western  shore. 

GEORGE   IV.    LAKE. 

twe^ntv  fi"'''  'r"  ^■''-  ^'■"'"  •^'""^^0"'^  ^^^''  distance 
twenty-five  miles  :  ,t  ,s  about  eighteen  miles  long,  and 

Bathu,^t   Lake,  and    George   IV.    Lake,   there    are 

T  e,  1 T  '  u  ^^''  '"''  *^»°'«'^™^  Lake. 
These  Likes,  with  a  great  number  of  lakelets,  dis- 
charge then-  waters  into  White-Bear  Bay,  on  the 
western   shore.  •''  ^ 

GRAND   POND,  OB   BAT   OF   ISLANDS*    LAKE. 

This  is   the   largest  sheet  of  water  known  on  the 

wfd'lh  t!  r  "•'."'y.^'^'y  "'"''  '»  '«"gth,  and  five  in 
width.  I  hes  in  the  same  direction  as  Red-Indian 
I-ond,  and  only  fifteen  miles  to  the  west  of  it. 

This  fine  lake  commences  about  fifteen  miles  north- 
east from  the  head  of  St.  George's  Bay.     The  chain 


iMf^ 


[«»•'    4:^ 


44  NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

of    mountains    called    the    Long    Range    forms    the 
great  water-shed  of  this  part  of  the  island ;  and  down 
its  gorges  flow  the  streams  which  originate  this  noble 
lake*!     It  first  runs  east-south-east,  seven  miles,  and  is 
about   two  miles  wide,  bounded  on  each  side   by  the 
lofty  hills  of  Long  Range.    Here  commences  an  island, 
more  than  twenty  miles  long,  and  five  wide.     At  the 
end  of  this  long  island,  the  lake  curves  to  east-north- 
east, and  then  nearly  north  for  a  further  distance  of  some 
twenty-five  miles.     The  high  hills  at  its  south-west  ex- 
tremity form   precipitous  banks  on  the  lake,  and  the 
depth  of  water  corresponds  with  those  steep  bluffs  ;  for, 
in  some  places,  no  bottom  could  be  found  with  ninety 
fathoms.     Numerous  brooks   flow  into  it,  through  its 
whole  course  ;  and,  near  its  north-east  extremity,  it  re- 
ceives the  waters  of  a  considerable   river,  called  The 
Main   Brook,  which  is  fifty  yards  wide,  and  several 
feet  deep.     The  Main  Brook  drains  the  country  from 
the  north-east  to  within  twenty  miles  from  the  head 
of  Notre  Dame  Bay.    To  the  north  of  the  lake,  a  river 
quite   as  large  as  Main  Brook  flows  out  of  it.     This 
river  is  called  Junction  Brook,  because  it  unites  with 
the  waters  of  the  Humber,  and  forms  another  lake,  at 
the  distance  of  seven  miles,  called  Deer  Pond. 

DEER   POND 

Is  about  fifteen  miles  long,  and  three  or  four  wide. 
It  lies  north-east  and  south-wer.t ;  and,  at  its  south- 
western extremity,  the  waters  are  again  narrowed  to 
fifty  or  a  hundred  yards,  and  flo^^'  into  the  Bay  of  Isl- 
ands, where  they  are  known  as  the  River  Humber. 

The  Indians  say,  that,  by  means  of  a  chain  of  ponds, 
they  can  navigate  to  Grand  Pond,  from  St.  George's 
Bay,  and   from  thence  to  the  Bay  of  Islands ;  while 


RIVERS. 


46 


it  is  evident  that,  with  only  a  few  short  postages,  the 
^land  can  be  crossed  with  a  canoe,  from  the  Humber 
Kiver  to  the  Exploits. 

RIVERS. 

The  largest  river  on  the  island  is  the  Humber.    The 
Humber  takes  its  rise  in  ^ome   gorges   of  the   Long 
Range,  ,n  about   the  fiftieth   degree   of  latitude,  and 
sixty  mdes  from  the  Bay  of  Islands.     Its  course  has 
been  traced  for  one  hundred  and  fourteen  miles.     Its 
first  nil  issues  at  no  great  distance  from  Cow  Head,  on 
the  Gulf  Shore      It  runs  east,  through  a  number  of 
lakes,  one  of  which  is  eight  or  ten  miles  lone    It  then 
curves  to  the  south  and  south-west,  and  atlixty  miles 
becomes  quite  a  river,  sufficiently  deep  for  a  small  boat 
to  glide  on  Its  surface.     Up  to  this  point,  Mr.  Jukes 
made  a  personal  survey  of  the  river ;  but  here  he  met 
with  a  number  of  rapids,  which  prevented  his  further 
progress  up  the  stream.     A  little  below  these  rapids, 
IS  volume  is  increased  by  a  tributary  quite  as  large  as 

Brook.  These  confluent  streams  form  the  Humber 
River  which^  rolls  its  waters  through  the  Humber 
Sound  and  tho  Bay  of  Islands,  into  the  Gulf  of  St 
Lawrence.  There  is  sufficient  water  in  the  Humbe; 
River,  as  also  m  both  Deer  Pond  and  Grand  Pond,  to 
floataschooner;  still  it  cannot  be  navigated,  because 

tl7t\  I"'-   "  °"^  ''^'^  ""'y  "-^^  ■»''-  from 
he  mouth  of  the  river :  it  is  three  quarters  of  a  mile 

long.     A  second  rapid,  and  more  dangerous,  although 

no   so  long,  ,s  found  nearly  a  mile  below  Deer  Pond 

and  eleven  miles  from  its  embouchure;  and  that  fine 

stream,  Junction  Brook,  Mr.  Jukes   found  to  be   so 


0-4 


46 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


impeded  with  rapids,  at  only  one  mile  from  the  main 
river,  as  to  render  his  further  progress  in  a  boat  quite 
impracticable. 

EXPLOITS    RIVER. 

This  river  is  about  sixty  miles  long.  It  commences 
in  Red-Indian  Pond,  whence  it  flows  east  for  thirty 
miles,  when  it  receives  sQveral  tributaries,  as  Little 
Rattling  Brook,  the  Three  Brooks,  Great  Rat- 
tling Brook,  and  the  Tilt  Brook.  These  streams 
drain  the  country  for  fifty  miles,  and  considerably  en- 
large the  Exploits,  which  rolls  on  about  north-north- 
east, and  dischai'ges  its.  waters  into  a  bay  bearing  the 
same  name.  The  Exploits  abounds  in  salmon  ;  but, 
like  the  Humber,  its  navigation  is  much  impeded  by 
rapids. 

There  are  two  considerable  rivers  near  Cape  Ray, 
called  the  Great  Codroy  and  the  Little  Codroy, 
both  of  which  originate  in  the  south-west  of  the  Long 
Range ;  and,  rushing  down  its  gorges,  discharge  their 
waters  into  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  at  the  western 
extremity  of  the  island.  Mr.  Jukes  ascended  the  Great 
Codroy  twelve  miles,  in  a  boat ;  but  how  much  further 
it  is  navigable,  we  have  no  information. 

The  fresh-water  streams  are  generally  small ;  hence 
the  term  brook  is  mostly  applied  to  them.  The  .lack  of 
navigable  rivers  is,  however,  in  a  measure,  compensated 
for  by  the  manner  in  which  its  splendid  bays,  and  their 
numerous  arms,  pierce  the  land.  But  it  may  be  stated, 
after  all,  that  Nova  Scotia  has  no  rivers  like  the  Hum- 
ber, or  even  the  Exploits  ;  and,  while  those  rivers  will 
not  bear  a  comparison  with  some  rivers  in  New  Bruns- 
wick,—  ^s  the  Miramichi,  or  the  majestic  St.  John, — 
yet  they  will  compare  favorably  with  the  St.  Croix,  not 


MINERALOGY  —  cOAL.  47 

wliile  the  St.  Croix  i,  i,    ^-^  ""'''"■•     ^"' 

<iams  and  studd  d.  th    aw  IT  ",'""'  ^'"""""'  ^^ 
cLiner^  is  moved  bv  it,"  T  '  ''''°  P""''"'*""'  ■""- 

banks;  its  wo,K.s'lf  e  t^Tve'  t1  "■!  '' 
men  ;  and  its  towns  and  J,  T  .  "'"'  '"'"''«'" 
obtained  from  it!  I^s  ^T  '•'"T"  '"  "'^'"* 
land,  many  of  them  !.     iT      ,     '^'^  "^  Newfound- 

The  wofdml  W  ht^lTf:  Id'  "?  ^'^'I  ""■■"«-'■ 
-th  only  a  few  exeeptionl  L  ta/k  oTthf^;;.""' 
never  been  heard  there      Th.       • ,  ™  """  ''^s 

-ters  giide,  as  th  J  alw^!  l/^""™-' ''"''  *>>« 
Peaces  have  they  been"  Tjll^l;:^  '"  "  '"'' 
of  man.     Spealiing  generaJIv  1  ?•  '^    '""'P"'^^ 

^Hlderaess,  save  the  nwlf^'  T  ?""''  "  ''^^^<^ '"  '''' 
the  screech  of  the  wM  ^  ^^  '"'"'""  '"  "^  ^'^^^ms, 
ing  of  the  wolf  t  hs  S"  "  "^  '''"'  "  *^  ''°^'- 

MINERALOGY 
an'^P^?;  If : „:r  i,''-  ^-  •>-  on,y  partia, 

"fie  men  that  man/  v"!   «  """   •"  """'^  "'"■ 
'^hich,  in  time,  will  Lol "  '^  """'  *"'■"• 

Wastrious  inhlbitants  '°"''  "^  ^"^^"^  'o  *« 

COAL. 

1,  .n  ^t.  Ueorge's  Bay, 


\  f 


:  t 


Is 

r.  I 


48  NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


■J'     f 


<iui,il 


where  he  had  spent  several  winters,  he  had  seen  coals 
near  his  "  winter  tilt ; "  and  that  when  there  was  not 
much  snow,  he  used  to  bring  in  large  lumps  of  coal, 
which  had  rolled  down  from  the  cliff,  and  therewith 
replenish  his  fire.     Since  that  time,  the  public  have 
been  made  acquainted  with  the  fact,  that  there  are  ex- 
tensive coal-fields  in  that  region,  as  well  as  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  the  Grand  Pond.     Mr.  Jukes  saw  coals  when 
he  surveyed   that  country   in  1839.     The  seams  he 
saw  were'  of  no  great  thickness  ;  but  he  says,  '*  More 
important  seams  will  probably  be  found."      At  eight 
miles  from  the  Gulf  Shore,  a  bed  of  coals,  known  to 
the  Micmac  Indians,  was  seen,  of  three  feet  thickness, 
and  of   excellent  quality ;   and  equally  valuable  beds 
were  known  to  exist  in  the  same  parallel,  near  the 
Codroy  River.     Mr.  Jukes  says  :  "  I  was  informed  by 
some  Indians  of  Great  Codroy  River,  that  they  had 
seen  a  bed  of  coal  two  feet  thick,  and  of  considerable 
extent,  some  distance  up  the  country.     Their  account 
of  the  distance,  however,  varied  from  ten  to   thirty 
miles  ;  and  I  could  not  induce  them  to  guide  me  to  the 
spot.      I  proceeded  up  the  river,  about  twelve  miles 
from  the  sea,  and  some  distance  beyond  the  part  navi- 
gable for  a  boat,  without  seeing  anything  but  beds  of 
brown  sandstone  and  conglomerate,  interstratified  with 
red   marls   and   sandstone,  gradually  becoming   more 
horizontal,  and  dipping  toward  the  south-east.     I  be- 
lieve, however,  that  a  bed  of  coal  had  been  seen  by  an 
Indian,  on  the  bank  of  a  brook  running  into  Codroy 
River,  about  thirty  miles  from  its  mouth  ;  but  the  per- 
son who  saw  it  was  not  in  the  neighborhood  at  the 
time  of  my  visit."     The  extent  of  the  St.  George's  Bay 
coal-field  has  been  estimated  at  twenty-five  miles  long 
and  ten  wide  ;  and  the  total  thickness  of  the  coal  for- 


SILVER -COPPEB-- IKON.  ^g 

mation,  Mr.  Jukes  estimitn,!  „*  e 
fifteen  hunclied  feet      Tl  ,  ??  °"'  ""'™»"''  «" 

l"n<l  are  evident  v"  ^      •"  "'"''"''''''''  "^  Newfound- 
Nova  Scotia  SVrur;r::d  ?  "r '  '^"^'^  '- 

strata  dip  under  tl.e  s,"!*!    '  '*  ^"'"'"  '  *''<'''• 

»o«th.welt  of  the      and     tT  '""'  """'  °"'  »'  "'« 
Newfoundland    conl    f  government  map  of 

s6uth.east  sTi  „f  St    ^    '"  f "   '""'<^d   "n   the 

""••th-east,  from  Cr^W^T'"'  ^T'  ''""'"■"g  »°"h- 

A. stream,  twelve  or  fltl?"'V°  *''"  ^«™"''  R'^^'- 

the  Bay  'of   IslanI 'rcXrC  «"  ""*""'  "' 
other  stream    to   tt„  ^"'^'"5    ""^  an- 

eailed  CoaT'Broo;  Z^'  °'  .^-""^  P"""-  « 
facilities  will  be  »fR,  J  1  i.  ,  P°P"'ation  increases, 
coal  into  mief  it  •  "  '■">"■'""  N-f««"dland 
of  peoplera,  d  pa'vi  i'T^  employment  to  hundreds 
of  capL:        ^  ^  ^  '"''''=  "'""^  f-  *e  investment 

SILVER. 

piat^drL";:"  "^  '^'"^  ^°^'^^"  -  ^  -^«  -le  i„ 

COPPER. 

was  aetuan^pe„e?'>Sht"B;;  ■    1^17  "'"« 
English  minera.     It,  however  Zl'!  '  ^^  '""^ 

Penses,  and  was   th;ref2    Iff  ?^^  ^°*'"g  «==- 

There  is  a  rich  Tm-neTf'  '^   '"""'  "^andoned. 

Nova  mine,  to  theTo  ,hwarTC  H'f-   '"?  '''"' 
French  Shore.  ""'"''^ard,  on  what  is  called  the 

IKON. 

these  springs  is      'lol  ' -^"^'^"-^V'  '™"-     ^"«  "^  " 


/          -*' 

■ 

1  • 

^^^^^1 
^^^^^^H 

I   ;■  ■ 

^^H 

^^1 

f    ; 

^^M 

■J. 

^^M 

^pt 

^H 

I*. 


60 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


is  a  substance  in  the  harbor  of  Catahna,  which  the 
people  call  ''  Catalina  Stone."  It  is  sometimes  called 
"  horse  gold  ;  "  and  was  mistaken  for  gold  by  those 
who  first  saw  it.  It  is  iron  pyrites,  or  sulphuret  of 
iron.  It  is  found  in  graywacke,  or  slate  rock.  Iron 
ore  is  found  in  Conception  Bay,  and  particularly  on 
the  northern  side  of  Belle  Isle. 


LEAD. 

At  La  Manche,  in  Placentia  Bay,  there  is  a  rich 
lead  mine,  of  which  Professor  Shephard,  in  a  recent 
report,   says :   "  I   saw  three   thousand   five   hundred 
pounds  of  clean,  pure  galena  thrown  from  the  vein  by 
a   single  blast.      From   my  explorations,   made   with 
great  care  and  circumspection,  I  feel  confident  that  you 
may  safely  calculate  on  one  hundred  feet  of  the  vein  in 
depth,  above  water  level,  extending  twelve  hundred 
feet  inland,  at  least.     I  have  estimated  four  inches  of 
sohd  galena  as  an  average  thickness  therein ;  but  be- 
lieving it  better  to  be  under  estimate,  rather  than  ex- 
ceed,  I  will  call  the  average  thickness  three  inches,  for 
twelve  hundred  feet  from  the  landmark,  and  one  hun- 
dred feet  in  depth  above  the  sea  level.     This  will  give 
thirty  thousand  cubic  feet  of  solid  galena  ;  which  is  a 
little  more  than  seven  times  as  heavy  as  the  same  bulk 
of  water ;  which  gives  a  product  of  upNvards  of  thir- 
teen millions  of  pounds,  together  with  the  additional 
chances  of  quadrupling  that  amount  by  sinking  below 
the  sea  level,  and  extending  inland.      The  mining  is 
the  easiest  thing  imaginable."     He  places  it  on  a  par 
with  the  greatest  lead  deposits  in  the  United  States; 
and  adds,    "  This  mine  is  accessible,  not  only  by  small 
boats,  but  even  by  the  smaller  class  of  ocean  steam- 
ers."    On  analyzation,  a  sample  was  found  to  contain 


GEOLOGY. 


61 


83.64  of  load    l.^fi?  ^r      i  i 

lime,  and  .„lica.     Tl.is  valuaW  "^    ^  ""," '"'""'"«  "^ 
tl.e  Im„<:s  of  a  New  V„I  ""'"^  ''"-^  '''"^■"  ''"'o 

been  discovered  in  the  sine  vidliir     ^""'""  ''''" 

GEOLOGY. 

George's  Bay  sawT  ^        "  ^''"'''""  S»""''  '"St. 

ti.e  hm,  at  fh'e Te  ":;r;r''  ■''■  «™"''"^'  -"'  f™™ 

the  island,  he  mentl  ^^  '"  """  "'^^'^""■«  »f 

^uenear  tLlonXroAV? tS  1^"/™''- 
terpentine;  henee  he  named  a  hill  in  thJ  ^"'1  c'  "'^ 
pentine  Mountain,  and  a  small  !     ,  """'  ^«'- 

Lake,   he    called    Ser  e„t  ^'i  '  "T,"^--"'' 

Bay  of  Despair  and  Jameson's  Lat    he  !     ''"    •''' 
granite,  quartz,  gneiss  fine  r\      7?     ,         ""  '"'""<'• 

indications  of  eofl  Ind'  ir"„      '  '''''' '"'""  ^'"''    -"> 

^SiLi!^°kt;tt;rr,°^'''^^- 

of  Avalon   is   composed   creflvoTv "     ""f"""' 
coarse  sandstone,   and   conSerl      T^        l'^''^ 

land  bet,veenPlacentia  and  F.rtunll  """^   "^ 

of  sienite,  porphyry    ^,™"  *'"""«  %'S  «  composed 
o.   T.-         t^^'P'iyry,  and  mica  slate      Tl.^  r  i      i    n 

St.  Pierre  is  sienite  or  porphyry    Tl    ^''^  ^^'''"'' «f 
western  shore  is  o-r^nif.    i    7'  '^^  P"'  "^  'he 

neighborhood  of ^aPo  ^  'Z  'T  t  '"""'  ■"  ">« 

mostly  mica  slate,  with  JranitT'    n    !i      "^  ^"S'' "'' 

St.  George's  Bav  ..i  ,'     ^"  *'"=  '»""'  ^i^e  of 

g«     Bay  are  the  coal  formations ;  also  near 

'See"BrUUhN„«hA»erica."b,A.M„„„,K,,.p.„,. 


62 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


the  Grand  Pond.  On  the  north  side  of  St.  George's 
Bay,  the  magnesian  hmestone  dips  at  a  shght  angle  to 
north-north-west.  At  Grand  Pond  are  chfFs  of  gneiss 
and  mica  slate.  A  calcareous  formation  stretches 
across  the  mouth  of  the  Humber  River,  in  hills  of  four 
or  five  hundred  feet  high.  About  three  miles  up  that 
river  are  lofty  precipices  of  pure  white  marble.  Mr. 
Jukes  says  that  mica  slate,  gneiss,  and  their  associated 
rocks,  with  occasional  patches  of  primitive  limestone, 
extend  along  the  whole  west  side  of  Newfoundland, 
and  thinks  from  the  Humber  they  form  an  unbroken 
ridge  to  Cape  Quirpon. 

The  strike  throughout  the  island  rarely  varies  from 
a  north-north-east  and  south-south-west  course  :  hence 
all  the  other  prominent  features  of  the  country,  as 
hills,  valleys,  lakes,  and  all  the  large  bays,  lie  in  nearly 
the  same  direction. 

Granite  boulders,  frequently  very  large,  are  found 
on  the  tops  of  hills  four  or  five  hundred  feet  high,  com- 
posed of  grit-stone,  slate,  or  sienite  ;  and  in  positions  so 
isolated  that  there  is  no  rock  like  them  within  twenty 
or  thirty  miles.  Drift,  sometimes  to  the  depth  of  sev- 
eral feet,  is  found  over  a  great  part  of  the  island. 

Near  the  River  Exploits  was  found  a  fine  bed  of 
unctuous  clay,  perfectly  plastic,  fifteen  or  twenty  feet 
thick,  and  lying  in  thin  layers,  usually  of  a  slate  color, 
with  a  reddish  band  here  and  there  ;  and  above  the  clay 
rests  a  bed  of  fine  sand  two  or  three  feet  thick.  Thus 
it  is  evident  that  marble,  limestone,  with  all  kinds  of 
building  and  roofing  materials,  can  be  obtained  in  New- 
foundland in  great  abundance. 


SOIL. 


r 

Around  St.  Johns,  and  along  the  east  coast,  the  soil 


son. 


63  _ 


«  shallow,  poor  and  hungry,  formed  of  decomposed 
slate-rock  mixed  with  silicious  and  luminous  matter 
and   reqmres  much   manure  to  make  it   prodXe' 
Ths  d,st„ct  .s  but  a  poor  specimen,  and  m'ust  nc^  b" 
taken  as  a  criterion  wherewith  to  judge  as  to  the  gen- 
eral fertility  of  the  island.     It  is  probable  that  the  per- 
son who  wrote  the  article  in  Moi.e>s  School  Geo.rl- 
Phy  on  Newfoundland  had  seen  only  the  eastern  clT- 
for  we  are  told.  "  the  island  itself  is  rugged  and  u"  n^ 

ri'-'l^^-f"'^  'r^^  ^«  trees  and 
slimbs.  Now,  while  we  admit  that  the  sea-coast  an- 
pears  to  the  stranger,  "rugged  and  uninviting  1 
that  It  produces  "  little  beside  stunted  ti-ees  and  sf  mbl  " 
IS  manifestly  incorrect.  »"ruos, 

All  over  the  country  there  is  a  thick  coating  of  moss 
which  Mr.  Jukes  calls  the  "curse  of  the  conn  L^' as' 
rt  prevents  the  nature  of  the  soil  from  being  k^^wn 
Whe     this  moss  is  cleared  away,  as  it  has'been  in 
many  places,  and  particularly  on  the   south  side  of 
&t.  George  s  Bay,  the  soil  is  found  to  be  fertile    and 
often   veiy  rich.      The  wild  grasses  afford  "x'dlent 
and  abundant  food  for  cattle  and  sheep.     TWe  are 
neh   alluvia  along   the   banks  ,f  rivers,  and  on  the 
margins  of  the  lakes;   and  although  on    he  coa^    he 
orests  are  stunted,  in  the  interior-the  trees  are   argt 

>ated  would  amply  repay  the  agriculturist. 

land'in  1844  T'  "'"^ '^  ^'°^^™°^  "^  ^"-f"""-!- 
Inl  fif'  "I  ^  '^"P*'"''  '"  ^""^  S^^nley.  gives  his 
opinion  of  Newfoundland  in  the  following  w'lrds:- 

With  respect  to  this  island,  hitherto  undervalued 

as    t  appears  to  me  to  have  been,  there   can  be  no 

do^t  that  the  whole  of  those  tracts  designated    .nd 

<l.picciated  by  that  designation)  by  the  appellation  of 


54  NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


» barrens,'  merely  because  denuded  of  trees,  are  among 
the  most  fertile  soils  in  British  America,  the  sec- 
tions almost  everywhere  presenting  to  the  eye  from 
four  to  six  feet  of  fine,  gravelly  soil,  capable  of  pro- 
ducing luxuriantly  every  species  of  crop,  except,  per- 
haps, wheat,  and  requiring  only  the  aid  of  artificial 
manures,  and  careful  and  judicious  culture,  to  give  good 
returns,  even  in  that  species  of  grain ;  while  in  respect 
to  all  others,  more  especially  grasses  of  every  kind, 
including  clover,  vetches,  and  I  will  add  flax,  in  oats 
and  barley,  turnips,  potatoes,  and  in  fact  every  species 
of  green  crop,  I  have  seen  no  country  out  of  England 
and  Egypt  superior  to  it."  ^ 

CLIMATE. 

The  climate  of  Newfoundland  and  Nova  Scotia  is 
similar,  and  the. seasons  about  equal  in  length.      On 
the  north-east  coast,  there    are    exceptions  when  the 
northern  ice  is  kept  on  the  coast  by  a  north-east  wind 
until  late  in  the  spring.     The  spring  of  1832  was  one  of 
those  exceptions.     The  great  jam  of  ice  from  the  north 
remained  on  the  coast  until  late  in  June  ;  and  the  har- 
bor of  Bonavista,  where  the  writer  then  resided,  was 
not  clear  of  ice  until  the  21st  day  of  June.     Such  in- 
stances are  of  rare  occurrence  ;  generally,  the  spring  is 
not  later  than  in  the  other  Provinces  of  British  Amer- 
ica.    The  winter  is  not  so  cold  as  is  sometimes  expe- 
rienced in  the  other  Provinces.      Seldom,  on  the  sever- 
est days,  does  the  thermometer  fall  more  than  eighteen 
or  twenty  degrees  below  zero.      One  of  the  severest 
winters  ever  known  was  in  1818,  when  the  thermome- 
ter often  sunk  from  twenty  to  twenty-one  degrees  below 

1  Speech  of  Sir  John  Harvey  before  the  Agricultural  Society,  St. 
Johns,  in  1844. 


VEGETABLE   KINGDOM.  55 

v^"ipe  Kay,  tog  is  seldom  seen.      The  foo-  hnw 
ever,  is  not  unhealtliy  •   tlia  lnn„.  v      /,    ^' 
remarkable,  and  perha,;    1       ^    "^  '''^  ""^  P«°P'«  ■' 
tended  with  J^eater  bTdilv   "°,  """"'T  "  "''^  "««  »*- 
Newfoundlanr  tL    r  ^  '"''  '"""'*'  "«°'  t''^"  *" 
healthy  "    '  ""^  *"  pronounced  very 

VEGETABLE  KINGDOM. 

coast  St.  Geor'  'B  «:•  ,,""1  °"  "'«  ^"^"«'= 
the  great  til7  %JZ  ^  ^    ^^  f  M-^s  are 

Humber  River  and  Grand  P.  •  T"^  ^^'"''  ">« 
with  fine  woods,  and  riLi:^"'^  ""T" 
wooded.        Neither  the  ,«',",       '^  ''    "'"  '«^^ 

near  the  shore      t  is    '•  if     """  *'  ^^P'" '«  found 
.       ^^^'^^  ^  "  IS  said,  however  thaf  tho  i^      i,   • 

:re;":^yre"%i'^:;r'''- 

in  di:meler  and  T   ^  ""  '"^  *"  "S''^^^"  »>^hes 

jne..  d,.LidingC:;iJtr:;:z:: 

■pars  of  vanous  aescriptions,  planks,  and  hand-barrows. 


66 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


A  very  large  quantity  is  consumed  for  fuel.  From  the 
branches  of  the  black  spruce,  that  wholesome  beverage, 
"  spruce  beer,"  is  ma'de.  The  fir  is  used  for  the  frame- 
work of  buildings,  as  dwelling-houses  and  stores  ;  sawed 
into  clap-boards ;  also  for  oil  hogsheads,  salmon  and 
herring  barrels,  casks  for  screwed  fish,  shingles,  and 

firewood. 

The  branches  of  the  stunted  spruce,  on  the  verge  of 
the  barrens  and  savannas,  are  usually  fringed  with  a 
yellow  parasite,  called  in  the  island,  molldoio.      It  is 
the  alectoria  subarta,  or  negro-hair,  of  botanists.     This 
lichen  is  the  chief  food  of  the  deer  during  the  winter  sea- 
son.    The  black,  white,  and  yellow  birch  are  found  in 
great  abundance,  and  occasionally  birch  trees  are  met 
with  three  feet  in  diameter.     The   Ostrya  Virginica, 
iron  or  lever  wood,  is  sometimes  found.       Varieties  of 
the  poplar  called  poj)el,  particularly  the  aspen  called 
apa,  grow  well.      But  the  black  larch,  or  juniper  (jpinus 
penidula),  is  among  the  most  useful  trees  of  the  New- 
foundland forest.     It  is  sometimes   called  the  oak  of 
Newfoundland,  as  it  is  the  hardest,  the  strongest,  and 
the  most  durable  of  all  its  timber.     It  is  used  exten- 
sively in   ship-building;  also  for  making  cart-wheels, 
and  other  purposes  requiring  great  strength.      The  top 
of  the  larch,  or  juniper,  when  growing,  generally  bends 
toward  the  east,  and  has  oftentimes  directed  the  travel- 
ler in  his  course.     Pslotwithstanding  the  extent  of  wood 
found  in  many  parts  of  the  island,  it  is  remarkable  that, 
until  late  years,  the  only  means  of  preparing  it  for  use 
was  the  "  pit  saw ;  "  but  now  there  are  saw-mills  in 
different  places.     There  are  two  or  three  saw-mills  in 
Hall  Bay,  cutting  up  the  splendid  timber  in  the  direc- 
tion of  Red-Indian  Pond.     There  are  seven  or  eight 

,d  of  Smith's  and  Randcn  Sounds, 


m 


the  neio-hborl 


WILD    FLOWERS. 


67 


and  two  or  three  more  are  met  with  in  other  parts  of 
the  island,  all  of  which  are  doing  well ;  and  perhaps 
no  country  affords  a  greater  number  of  excellent  sites 
tor  mills,  and  better  opportunities  for  damming.  With 
streams  sufficiently  large  and  convenient  to  float  down 
the  lumber,  if  good  localities  were  selected,  and 
science  and  capital  employed  as  in  New  Brunswick,  the 
lumber  trade  in  Newfoundland  would  for  many  years 
be  equally  remunerative. 

WILD  FLOWERS. 

^    The  wild  rose,  of  which  there  are  three  species,  grows 
la  rich  profusion ;    and  among  them  the  rosa  Manda, 
with  its  slender  purple-red  branches,  flourishes  beside 
the  gentle,  purling  streams.     "  In  the  tribe  of  lilies," 
says  Sir  R.  Bonnycastle,  "  Solomon  in  all  his  glory  ex- 
ceeded not  the  beauty  of  those  produced  in  this  un- 
heeded  wilderness."     L.  Pkiladephicum  is  almost  the 
same  m  appearance  as  the  common  orange  lily.     L  Sw- 
perhum  ornaments  some  of  the  ponds,  and  in  color  is 
orange  with  dark  blue  spots.     L.  Canadense  also  grows 
in  wet  places,  and  has  a  collection  of  yellow  or  reddish 
flowers  darkly  maculated. 

Violets  are  common,  but  inodorous.     The  7m,  or 
wild  flag,  a  superb  flower,  is  very  common ;  and,  in  the 
flowering  season,  its  rich  blue  petals  dot  every  marsh 
The  "  pitcher  plant,"  or  "  ladyV  side-saddle,"  with  its 
large,  handsome,  purple  flowers  is  the  natural  produc- 
tion of  the  swamps.     The  moose  wood,  or  heather  wood, 
shrub  produces  yellow  flowers,  and  looks  gay,  as  does 
the  mynnchium  anceps,  or  the  blue-eyed  grass.      Nat- 
ural red  and  white  clover,  and  a  great  variety  of  other 
grasses,  cover  the  plains  and  savannas ;  and  a  beautiful  lit- 
tle traihng-plant,  called  «  maiden  hair,"  is  found  in  abun- 


^i 


68 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


danco.  It  bears  a  small  white  fruit,  like  the  egg  of  an 
ant,  which  contains  a  saccharine  matter,  lusciously 
sweet.  The  reed  tribe  is  numerous  ;  while  the  mosses, 
lichens,  ferns,  and  fungi  will  furnish  a  wide  field  for  the 
research  of  the  skilful  botanist. 

CULTIVATED  FLOWERS. 

Roses  are  found  in  gardens  in  great  variety.  The 
moss  rose,  the  damask  rose,  and  the  maiden's  blush, 
thrive  well.  Dahlias  grow  in  sheltered  places  ;  the  lily 
of  the  valley,  Solomon's  seal,  the  convolvulus,  Jacob's 
ladder,  the  lupin,  sweet-William,  fox-glove,  cowslip, 
columbine,  honeysuckle,  and  most  of  the  flowers  which 
adorn  the  gardens  of  other  parts  of  British  North 
America,  will  also  grow  in  the  gardens  of  Newfound-* 
land. 

WILD  FRUITS. 

Among  the  wild  fruits,  we  mention  the  bak-apple, 
so  called  because  its  taste  is  something  like  a  baked  ap- 
ple. It  is  a  compound  berry,  in  form  and  size  like  the 
raspberry  ;  but  when  ripe,  it  is  a  deep  yellow  color.  It 
is  very  rich,  and  makes  a  fine  preserve.  It  is  abun- 
dant. The  wild  raspberry  is  found  in  all  parts  of  the 
island.  Wild  currants  and  gooseberries  are  plenty  in 
some  parts.  The  cranberry  in  several  varieties  is  found 
in  great  quantities,  and  sometimes  the  marshes  are  red 
with  this  most  delicious  fruit.  The  wild  strawberry  is 
here ;  and  the  whortleberry,  called  hurts,  which  is  the 
blueberry  in  the  other  Provinces,  grows  in  Newfound- 
land in  quantities  that  seem  fabulous. 

GARDEN  FRUITS. 

Among  the  exotic  fruits  is  the  apple,  which,  al- 
though not  abundant,  is  found  in  some  gardens  to  grow 


QUADRUPEDS. 


69 


well.      Some  varieties   of   the   plum,  particularly  the 
damson,  ,s  grown  in  Conception  Bay  and  St.  Johns  • 
and  the  Kentish   cherry  flourishes  in  those  locahties. 
1  lie  pear  will  grow,  but  does  not  come  to  great  perfec- 
tion ;  but  cabbage,  cauliflowers,  broccoli,  lettuce,  spin- 
ach, cress,  beets,  parsnips,  carrots,  peas,  Windsor  beans, 
^rench  beans,  celery,  thyme,  mint  savory,  and  all  the 
British  culinary  vegetables,  arrive  at  great  perfection. 
1  otatoes  yield  abundantly,  and  are  very  farinaceous. 

ANIMAL  KINGDOM- QUADRUPEDS.     ' 
The  deer  of  Newfoundland  is  the  caribou,  or  rein- 
deer.    The   usual   height   of  this   species  of  deer  is 
about  fou.  feet,  and  its  length,  from  the  head  to  the 
insertion  of  the  tail,  is  nearly  the  same.     The  antlers 
ot  the  male  are  large,  with  numerous  branches ;    but 
those  of  the  female  are  smaller,  with  fewer  divisions. 
It  IS  gregarious,  and  roams  the  country  in  large  herds 
In  the  summer,  these  herds  are  seen  feeding  on  the 
plains  and  savannas  far  to  the  north.     As  the  autumn 
comes  on,  they  migrate  to  the  south,  when  the  open 
country  is  literally  covered  with  their  countless  num- 
bers.     In  their  journey,  they  swim  the  inland  lakes 
and  small  bays,  and  seem  regardless  of  their  enemies. 
A  hunter  informed  the  writer  that  he  once  saw  the 
great  herd  -  heating "  to  the  south,  when  the  open 
country,  as  far  as  he  could  see,  was  one  living,  movinir   • 
mass  of   deer.      Numerous  wolves  were  followinrr  the 
lierd   but  seemed   afraid  to   attack,  because   the   deer 
would  strike  at  them  and  kill  them  with  their  hoofs 
Another  jnan  in  the  same  district,  in  company  with 
three  others,  once  fell  in  with  the  great  southern  herd, 
when   the  party  killed   ninety-six  deer.     Beside  this, 
when  the  writer  resided  in  Burin,  he  knew  one  hun- 


A 


GO 


NKWI'OIINDI.ANl)    AND    IIH    MISHION  A  HI  I'.S. 


clrod  and  (urtv  furcnsstvs  of  tloci*  to  ho  lu'oiiiilit  into  tliiit 
harl>or  in  ono  day.  Tluvso  dcor  wcro  i\illi'd  in  tlicir 
prinus  »iid  wonid  avi^nit^o,  at  loust,  ono  hnndrod  and 
forty  jMunuls  oaoii  carcass.  A  writer  in  tlio  '*  liritisli 
Colonics  "  jj;ivcs  tho  lolU)V\in«>;  inlornuition  :  ''  Fornau'- 
ly,  tho  herds  that  cuino  to  tho  sonth  coast  ai'o"  Htatcd  to 
luivo  been  tMu»rnu)ns.  Mr.  Haotj;,  of  I,u  I'oihs  says  lio 
luis  seen  *  thonsands  ; '  and  has  kiMcd  seven  at  one  sliot 
with  heavy  shijj;s  from  u  hu'<j;e  scaHn<;-(riu»."  '  Their 
paths  are  Hke  sliecp-walks  ;  h\it  thi>ir  footmarks  are 
hiri^er  than  tliose  of  a  cow.  'IMieir  food  in  sunnner  is 
principally  moss.  In  winter,  it  is  the  ne^ro-hair;  hut 
sometimes  they  will  break  tho  frozen  snow  with  their 
liools,  in  order  to  get  tho  moss.  Early  in  the  spring, 
they  "  l>t'ut  "  to  the  north  ;  and  in  the  sunnner,  they  sep- 
arate into  pairs,  and  hido  themselves  in  tho  thick  woods. 


HKAUS. 

The  white  or  Polar  bear  occasionally  lands  on  tho 
eastern  coast  from  tho  ice  ;  and  one  came  ashore  at 
Bonavista,  walked  to  Bird-Island  Cove,  where  he 
again  took  the  ice.  Ho  did  no  damage,  and  was  evi- 
dently chary  of  tlie  habitations  of  man.  The  black 
bear  is  otlen  seen.  It  is  tho  long-legged  variety,  and 
is  very  laroje.  Tliev  live  mostly  on  berries  ;  but  late  in 
the  fall  have  been  known  to  enter  the  lone  "  winter 
tilt ''  of  the  woodman,  and  devour  all  the  pork  and 
molasses  they  could  find.  They  will  run  from  man  ; 
and  are  not  savage  except  they  are  wounded,  or  have 
young.     Their  flesh  is  esteemed  by  tlie  hunters. 


WOLVES. 


The  wolves  still  roam  in  packs  in  the  interior,  and 
ai'e  scon  in  the  track  of  the  deer  ;  but  they  will  not 

'  British  Colonics,  article  Nowtbimdland,  chap.  IV. 


QIMDRUPKlw. 


61 


atfack  a  „,.■„,,  or  appnmHi  vvllhl,,  .Min-sl.of       A  I      . 

'"''"'•"•'<'  •!'<'  vvriK T    that   lu-    in  .         '"^^*'" 

^""1,  riiai,  ii(.,  Ill  cotiipaiiy  with  anothor 

'",""•  "■ ';.'■"  ""  ''"'  "!«■"  I«.r.v„.s  'l.„Ii„.     ,    d 

»  ™-  at,  a  .l,sta„o,.  tl.,,y  ..,,i„,  ,w  »,/„,..:,•.     ar.„    J 

<l"    w.-lv-s  ;    s.,o„  the  wolvo.,  „t„,,,„,|  ,;„.  „  „„.„^'  , 

tl."    m.„.      A„am  ,l„.y  h«Ue,|,  .,x|,..ctl„«  tl,..  „„i„,,|, 
would  (•(.iiiu  w  t  liii    ,•„„„„       n,.,       .     "  aimrials 

<r  iiaim  «  way.      l|„s  ,.„„t,„,K,d  ««•  hmr,,  tl,e  wolves 

coinse.  J  liey  will,  however,  sometimes 
j.N;.'.-h  ,„„t.  n„.r  tl,e  dwellings  of  ,„,.„,  a'ndT.  2; 
^  .  s  u..,,  „„,|  cows.  In  the  year  1842.  thee  animals 
we  0  troublesome  near   St.  Johns.      A  trap  was  se 

-leg  and  ho  escaped      He  was   afterwards   shot; 
and  the  following  were  In's  dimensions  : 

I.ongthofthebo.ly,fromtbo„o8ctothei„ser-       "'  '°" 
tion  of  the  tail      . 

Length  of  the  tail    ..'*** 

•        • 
lotal  length 

" 

Height  of  the  fore-shoulder      . 

Height  at  the  haunch 

near  t"  t""''""f,  ^f  ^'  *'  ""'"«'  "«™  troublesome 
near  Trm.ty,  and  killed  several  sheep  and  cattle.     On 

the  mornmg  of  January  20th,  the  writer  was  return- 

ng  from  English  Harbor  to  Trinity,  when  he  sndlX 

came  upon  the  track  of  a  large  wolf,  which,  fr^m'the 

6 


5 
J_ 

6 

2 
2 


0 
_6 

6 

9 
8 


62 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


appearance  in  the  Hglit  snow,  he  judged  could  have 
passed  only  a  few  minutes  before.  Shortly  the  track 
again  crossed  his  path,  and  continued  to  cross  his  path  at 
every  fifty  or  hundred  yards,  until  he  came  up  with  a 
man  at  work  in  the  woods,  who  said  the  wolf  had  cer- 
tainly crossed  less  than  ten  minutes  before  ;  and  was 
sure  the  animal  was  in  the  thicket  close  by.  We  now 
went  in  pursuit ;  but  soon  perceived  that  the  wolf  was 
aware  of  his  danger,  and  made  his  escape.  Observing 
the  footprint  to  be  very  large,  I  took  a  piece  of  paper, 
and,  with  my  pencil,  traced  it  exactly  as  it  was  spread 
on  the  snow.  The  form  of  the  track,  as  then  taken,  is 
now  before  me.  It  measures  seven  inches  by  nine. 
The  animal  was  afterwards  shot  in  a  trap ;  and  the 
skin,  when  stuffed,  measured,  to  the  insertion  of  the  tail, 
five  feet,  three  inches,  and  its  height  a  little  over  three 
feet. 

The  species  of  fox  usually  taken  is  the  red  or 
yellow.  It  is  taken  in  a  trap.  They  are  numer- 
ous. The  patch,  or  cross  fox,  also  the  black,  the  blue, 
the  white,  and  the  silver  fox,  are  natives  of  the  island ; 
but  the  black  and  the  silver  fox  are  but  seldom  seen, 
and  their  skins  are  valuable. 

The  beaver  is  plenty  in  some  parts ;  and  the  beaver- 
house  and  beaver-dam  are  often  met  with  near  the 
lakes  in  the  interior. 

The  hare  is  very  plentiful.  It  is  brown  in  the  sum- 
mer, but  becomes  perfectly  white  in  winter. 

The  otter  is  met  with  on  the  streams  to  the  west 
and  the  north  of  the  island. 

The  musquash,  or  muskrat,  is  abundant.     Its  habits 
are  like  the   beaver,  in 
streams. 

The  martin  is  found  in  many  parts. 


building  its  house  near  the 


BIRDS. 


REPTILES. 


68 


There  are  no  reptiles.     Neither  fmn.  f     i 
^'^.■a  Has  ever  .eeLeen  i„  4;;"r£r„:i^^^ 

BIRDS. 

by  Sir  R.  Bonnycastle  to  ZT  ^'^'  ™PP°'"='' 

called  a  robin.     Ti      Jrl  J  "  ^f-'o-d  ouzel,  is 

summer.  The  ve  low  t  ''"  "'"''"  "^"  ^^'^''^  '« 
and  the  littletS^r '"™f  '  ""^  '""""'-' 
the  fl,..cher,  the  X Je  terrrt? 
black-cap,  titmouse,  the  grossbeak    tl,  ."^'^ ''"'« 

the  sparrow  are  als'o  found.  Het'  so  fai""  '  ""'' 
gan,  called  the  partridge  It  T'J  "/j^'P""-™- 
color  in  summer  •  butT„  ♦>:    u        •"  ''^''d'A-brown 

marshes.  '  """^  ''^  *^^  barrens  and 

Of  water  birds,  there   are   tli«   n       j 
goose,  b]ue-win.ed  teal   Lvpll  "^^  ""^  ^"°^- 

"orant,   twe    or   baccalao    bird,   ph-tS   d,  \"" 
sea-pheasant,  eider  duck    H»-   '/'"*'"''"'    <'"<'k   or 
sea-dove  jrooJlT        . ,'  T    ''^^^  tern,  ice-bird   or 
n    Z'  ^'^"J}'^"''  "oddy,  loon,  puffin,  and  rn,„r-K.-]| 
™""^'a„d  goose  is  a  large  and  elegant  bi;!; 


64 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


and  very  pli'nty  in  the  interior.  It  is  of  a  swan-like 
form,  with  ii  hhiek  rin<r  round  its  neck;  ean  easily  be 
domesticated,  hut  <loe8  not  then  breed.  Half  a  cen- 
tury ago,  the  penguin  was  very  plenty.  It  is  a  hand- 
some bird,  about  the  size  of  a  goose,  with  a  coal-black 
head  and  back,  a  white  belly,  and  a  milk-white  spot 
under  the  right  eye.  They  cannot  fly  well;  their 
wings  are  more  like  fins ;  they  have  on  their  bodies 
short  feathers  and  down.  The  pengiiin  is  now  but  sel- 
dom seen :  sucli  destruction  of  the  bird  was  made  for 
the  sake  of  its  feathers,  that  it  is  now  all  but  extinct. 

Insects,  Huch  as  mosquitoes,  stinging  midges,  and 
flies,  are  in  myriads. 

The  ponds  and  streams  abound  in  trout;  smelt 
inhabit  the  large  lakes ;  and  great  quantities  of  fine 
salmon  are  taken  in  or  near  the  mouths  of  the  larger 
streams. 

During  the  summer  season,  the  sea  is  alive  with  her- 
ring and  mackerel ;  but  above  all  are  its  inexhaustible 
shoals  of  codfish,  which  are  its  great  source  of  wealth 
and  commerce. 


I'ti 


-m 


CHAPTER    III. 

DISCOVERY  -  msrOKV  -  KU.„«o  ADMIKALa. 

'piIERE  is  a  twofold  tradit 


A    d 

that 


IS. 


sea-ki 


ion  in  rofer(3nce  to  the 
.«-;very  of  Newfoundland  hy  Europeans.     One 
it    was    discovered 


ing,  or 


hy    Hiarne,   or   15 


lorn,   a 


pirate,  from  Ireland,  who,  beinc  driven 


the  coast  by  contrary  winds 
shelter   in  Port    ( 


is  said  to  t »  have  tak 


on 
en 

year  1000.     The  other,  that  the  island  w ..  f^r.t  vis- 
ited  some    time   in    the    eleventh    century,    by    some 
Nort  Innen      from      Scandinavia      or     Norway,     who 
called  ,t  vme-land,  or   wine4and,  or   ivine-herryland, 
because   of    the    vast    quantities    of    hurts,    or    blue' 
bernes    which  are   everywhere   found,  and    of  which 
these   Northmen   are  said   to   have   made  wine.     For 
these  traditions,   there  is  little  or  no  foundation,  and 
^icy   are    novy   considered   as    entirely   fabulous;   and 
Newfoundland    appears    to   have    been    unknown    to 
Europeans  until  near  the  close  of  the  fifteenth  century 
i  he  discovery  of  America  by  Christopher  Columbus, 
in  the  year  1492,  had  delighted  the  men  of  science 
astonished   the  ignorant  multitudes,  and    excited    the 
ambition   and   cupidity  of  the    reigning    monarchs  of 
Europe  ;  each  of  whom  was  anxious  to  gain  possession 
of  countries   now  known   to   exist  west   of  the  great 
Atlantic  Ocean.     Besides,  as   the    true    figure  of"  the 
earth  now  began  to  be  understood,  a  short  way  might 
be  found   to  India   and    China ;   moreover,  countries 


6« 


(65) 


iff 


!:■■.;::! 


Ill 


QQ 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


might  be  visited,  w^^ose  auriferous  soils  would  amply 
repay  the  cost  of  their  discovery  and  conquest. 

In  these  occidental  advantages,  Henry  VII.  of  Eng- 
land determined  to  share.  He  accordingly  commis- 
sioned Giovani  Gaboto,  generally  called  John  Cabot,  a 
Venetian,  to  sail  toward  the  setting  sun,  in  order  to 
make  discoveries  in  his  name.  Two  light  ships,  called 
caravels,  were  placed  under  his  command,  and  five 
ships  laden  with  goods  for  traffic  supplied  by  the  mer- 
chants of  London.  With  this  little  fleet,  Cabot  sailed 
from  Bristol  in  the  month  of  May,  1497.  His  destina- 
tion was  Cathay,  or  China ;  to  reach  which  he  was  to 
sail  a  west  course.  On  the  24th  of  June,  he  saw  land. 
It  was  not  China,  but  land  on  whicL  no  European  eye 
had  yet  gazed :  it  was  the  promontory  since  called  Cape 
Bonavista.  To  this  land  he  gave  the  name  of  Terra 
primum  vista,  the  "  Land  first  seen  ;  "  from  which,  by 
some  alteration  in  the  words,  but  preserving  the  sense, 
was  derived  the  name  Newfoundland. 

Intent  upon  reaching  China  by  this  new  route,  he 
sailed  to  the  north  as  far  as  lat.  67°  30',  when  he  must 
have  sighted  some  part  of  Greenland ;  but,  finding  no 
north-west  passage  to  the  Pacific,  he  steered  to  the 
south,  and  entered  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  thus  sail- 
ing round  Newfoundland  ;  and,  taking  with  him  ten  of 
the  natives,  he  returned  to  England  in  the  month  of 
August,  and  was  knighted  by  the  king.  Sir  John 
Cabot  made  three  subsequent  voyages  ;  but  no  settle- 
ment of  the  countries  he  visited  then  took  place,  as  the 
tide  of  European  adventure  flowed  south,  to  Mexico 
and  Peru. 

In  1500,  Gaspar  Cortereal,  a  Portuguese  captain, 
visited  the  coast  of  North  America,  and,  following  the 
track  of  Sir  John  Cabot,  he  kidnapped  several  of  the 


DISCOVERY. 


67 


natives,  and  sold  them  for  slaves.  In  1502,  Huf?h 
Eliot  and  Tliomas  Ashurst,  English  mercJmnts,  were 
authorized  by  Henry  VII.  to  estabhsh  colonies  in  the 
countries  discovered  by  Cabot ;  but  they  do  not  appear 
to  have  availed  themselves  of  this  permission. 

The  discoverers  of  Newfoundland  must  have  carried 
back  to  Europe  a  surprising  account  of  the  quan^-'ty  of 
fish  on  Its  coast,  and  of  the  advantage  of  prosecuting  a 
fishery  there;  for  in  1517,  which  was  only  twenty 
years  from  the  time  that  Cabot  first  saw  Cape  Bona- 
vista,  there  were  about  fifty  vessels,  under  the  English 
French,  Spanish,  and  Portuguese  flags,  engaged  in  the 
tisneries.  ° 

Seventeen  years  later,  that  was  in  1534,  Jacques 
Oartier,  a  navigator,  and  who  had  been  engaged  in 
fishing  on  the  banks  of  Newfoundland,  received  a 
commission    from    Francis    L,   and   with   two    small 

T't'fff^  *''"'  ""'^^'  ^"'^^^  ^'^"^  St.  Maloes  on 
the  20th  of  April,  and  arrived  at  Newfoundland  on  the 
10th  of  May.  He  remained  there  ten  days;  then 
sailed  north,  passed  through  the  Strait  of  Belle  Isle 
and,  taking  with  him  two  natives,  he  returned  t^ 
France  on  the  25th  of  July,  and  was  received  with 
honor  by  the  French  king. 

About  this  time,  several  attempts  were  made  to  colo- 
nize. Newfoundland,  and  we  read  of  a  "  Master  Robert 
Wore,     a   merchant   of  London,  who,   "with  divers 
other  gentlemen,"  sailed  in  1536,  intending  to  remain 
on  the  island  through  the  winter;  but  the  crew  of  the 
vesse  were  almost  starved  to  death  on  the  passage,  and 
would  have  perished,  had  they  not  fallen  in  with  a 
French  ship,  laden  with  provisions,  which  they  seized 
and  brought  to  England.   Henry  VIII.  of  England  satis- 

L'  idemnity,  and  thereby  pre- 


iuira 


if 


68 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


any 


misunderstanding 


between   the    govern- 


t   r. 


vented 
ments. 

Down  to  this  period,  and  for  more  than  forty  years 
after,  Newfoundland  did  not  properly  belong  to  any 
nation,  but  was  a  disputable  territory,  —  a  place  where 
fishermen  and  traders  of  different  countries  resorted  ; 
and,  what  was  far  worse,  it  became  a  rendezvous  for 
pirates,  who  could  here  follow  their  nefarious  practices 
with  impunity. 

Britain  was  at  that  time  just  beginning  to  develop 
her  naval  s^.rength  ;  and  her  ambitious  Queen  Elizabeth 
could  allow  no  naval  superiority  in  any  foreign  power, 
or  permit  the  British  flag  to  dip,  except  in  compliment, 
to  any  nation,  or  suffer  any  nation  to  have  more  exten- 
sive colonies  than  were  under  her  control. 

Accordingly,  in  1579,  Her  Majesty,  desirous  of  ob- 
taining advantage  from  the  discoveries  which  Cabot 
had  made  eighty  years  before,  but  which  as  yet  had 
been  of  little  benefit,  granted  to  Sir  Humphrey  Gilbert, 
half-brother  to  Sir  Walter  Raleigh,  a  patent  for  the 
"  discovering  or  occupying  and  peopling  such  remote, 
heathen,  and  barbarous  countries  as  were  not  actually 
possessed  by  any  Christian  people." 

After  many  disappointments  and  much  delay,  this 
noble  and  intrepid  man,  having  sold  his  estate  in  Eng- 
land to  realize  pecuniary  means,  sailed  from  Plymouth 
on  the  11th  of  June,  1583,  with  five  ships  and  two 
hundred  and  fifty  men. 

On  the  11th  of  July,  the  fleet  arrived  off  Newfound- 
land, and  on  Monday,  August  5th,  proceeded  in  state 
to  St.  Johns,  to  take  formal  possession  of  the  island. 
A  tent  was  pitched  on  the  shore,  the  people  were 
assembled,  and  the  commission  of  the  Queen  of  Eng- 
land was  read.    A  twie  from  a  bush  was  then  delivered 


to  Sir  H 
foundland 
and  Crov 
clamation 
six  vessel 
masters  ol 
trade,  all 
Queen, 
of  lead,  ' 
from  that 
longed  to 
posed  upo 
three  folic 
colony :  • 

1.  That 
ding  to  th 

2.  Thai 
dicial  to  t 
laws  of  Er 

3.  That 
Majesty  wi 
confiscatioi 

It  was  V 
something 
than  one  hi 
was  perfori 
occasionallj 
ritual,"  or 
dred  and  fii 
tent,  was  ol 

This  gal] 
on  his  retu 
August,  Si 
tliree  of  hi: 


SIR   HUMPHREY   GILBERT. 


69 


to  Sir  Humphrey,  who  declared  the  island  of  New- 
foundland to  belong  to  his  sovereign  and  to  the  dominion 
and  Crown  of  England.     The  people,  with  loud  ac- 
clamations, promised  obedience.     Thefe  were  thirty- 
six  vessels  of  foreign  nations  then  in  St.  Johns,  the 
masters  of  which,  and  the  merchants  connected  with  the 
trade,  all  acknowledged  the  supremacy  of  the  British 
Queen.     A  pillar  was  erected,  upon  which,  in  a  plate 
of  lead,  was  engraved  the  arms  of  the  queen ;   and 
from  that  time  has  the  Island  of  Newfoundland  be- 
longed to  the  Crown  of  England.     A  tax  was  also  im- 
posed upon  all  ships  who  visited  that  port;  and  the 
three  following  laws  were   promulgated  for  this  new 
colony :  • 

1.  That  public  worship  should  be  celebrated  accor- 
ding to  the  Church  of  England  ritual. 

2.  That  anything  which  might  be  attempted  preju- 
dicial to  the  Queen  of  England  was,  according  to  the 
laws  of  England,  treason. 

3.  That  uttering  of  words  to  the  dishonor  of  Her 
Majesty  was  to  be  punished  with  loss  of  ears  and  the 
confiscation  of  property. 

It  was  very  right  for  Sir  Humphrey  Gilbert  to  say 
something  about  "  public  worship ;  "  yet  it  was  more 
than  one  hundred  years  after  this,  that  divine  worship 
was  performed  in  Newfoundland  (except,  perhaps,  very 
occasionally)  according  to  the  "  Church  of  England 
ritual,"  or  in  any  other  way,  and  more  than  one  hun- 
dred and  fifty  years  before  public  worship,  to  any  ex- 
tent, was  observed  by  the  settlers. 

This  gallant  man.  Sir  Humphrey  Gilbert,  was  lost 
on  his  return  voyage  to  England.  On  the  20th  of 
August,  Sir  Humphrey  sailed   from  St.  Johns,  with 

thi'Hfi   nf  his  shii^"    t^'»    n  ri^ij —  tt*- _i  i>   ^i       ,,  t  ... 
_.  .jin  ,->i!ij^o,  iiic       v^uiucu  iiiiiu,     ine  *•  Little 


70 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


Squirrel,"  and  the  "  Delio;ht,"  for  Sable  Island,  to 
scai'ch  for  swine  and  cattle,  said  to  have  been  landed 
there  some  thirty  years  previous.  The  "  Delight"  was 
lost  on  a  sand-Uiuk  ;  and  no  swine  or  cattle  being  found 
on  the  island,  he  determined  to  proceed  to  England, 
declaring  that  he  "  would  fit  out  an  expedition  royally, 
iiud  return  next  spring."  The  "  Golden  Hind  "  and 
the  "  Little  Squirrel  "  left  for  England,  Sir  Humphrey 
taking  passage  in  the  smaller  vessel.  Repeatedly  did 
his  friends  urge  him  to  leave  that  nut-shell,  and  go  on 
board  the  "  Golden  Hind."  His  reply  was,  "  I  will 
not  forsake  my  little  company,  with  whom  I  have 
passed  so  many  storms  and  perils.?' 

The  two  vessels  reached  the  Azores  in  safety,  but 
there  encountered  a  storm  of  so  terrible  a  nature  that 
made  all  hearts  quail,  except  Sir  Humphrey,  who  re- 
tained his  courage  and  self-possession  to  the  last.  The 
"  Golden  Hind  "  kept  ns  near  the  *'  Little  Squirrel  " 
as  the  mountain  waves  would  permit.  In  the  midst  of 
the  storm,  the  noble  admiral  was  seen  sitting  calmly  on 
the  deck  reading,  and  was  heard  to  cheer  the  men  on 
board  of  the  "  Golden  Hind,"  as  well  as  his  own  crew, 
with  "  Be  of  good  cheer,  for  we  are  as  near  heaven  by 
sea  as  on  the  land."  But  night  came  on  ;  it  was  fear- 
fully dark  ;  the  lights  of  the  "  Little  Squirrel  "  were 
seen  for  a  time,  but  they  suddenly  disappeared :  the 
*^  Little  Squirrel,"  with  all  on  board,  foundered. 

Thus  perished  one  of  the  bravest  of  the  adventurers, 
who,  in  the  glorious  reign  of  Elizabeth,  sought  to  ex- 
tend the  dominion  of  England  in  the  western  world. ^ 

In  1585,  two  years  after  the  death  of  Sir  Humphrey 
Gilbert,  Sii'  Bernard  Drake  made  a  voyage  to  New- 
foundland, who  now  claimed  the   sovereignty   of  the 

-  See  Bonnj-castle's  Newfoundland  in  1842. 


island,  an( 

Queen  Eli 

laden  wit 

lawful  pri: 

A  terril 

land  was  i 

"  Invincibl 

shores,  coi 

her  heresy 

Protestant 

power  frui 

heaven  sea 

force  ;   Dn 

tured  sever 

was  humble 

God-honore 

all  the  pn\ 

minion  was 

destined  to  j 

her  counsel 

feared  by  ev 

The  trout 

prevented  h 

colony  so  di: 

It  was,  there 

Drake's  visit 

under  roval  r 

Tlie  island 

land  from  the 

than  one  hun 

passed  since 

of  the  Britisl 

made  to  colon 

that  visited  it; 


HISTORY. 


island,  and  the  sole  rUAit  of 


71 


r,  T.,.    ,     : ^'"  "'  ''"  fisheries,  in  the  name  of 

Quee,.  Elizabeth.     He  found  several  Portuguese  "Z 
adc.,   wuh  fish  and  oil  and  furs;  these  hi  si  7a ' 
lavvfu  pn.es,  and  with  them  returned  to  England 

A  terrible  war  now  raged  with  Spain  ;  and  all  En., 
and  was  ,„  terror  and  consternation,  because  of  the 

Invincible   Armada,"   that   was   to   land   upon   1  er 
sbores,  conquer  her  armies,  punish  her  soverci  "n  Z 

1  rotestant  from  the  face  of  the  earth.     But  divine 
power  frustrated   this  wicked   design  ;   the  winds  "f 

orce  ,   Drake,  Hawkins,  Frobislier,  and  Howard  can 

« as  humbled  the  haughty  monarch  of  Spain,  and  the 
God  honored  Island  of  Britain  was  allowed'to  tZ 
.ill  the  privileges  of  her  reformed  religion.     Her  d^^ 

ZuLr  •'"""''!.  '■"  ■■'^  ''"'"^"'y  ••  -'"'«  ^he  wa^ 

lounseirL'",  """"?'  ''"P'"-"'"'^^'  -  '»  -"- 

>^i  counsels  to  be  respected,  and   her  power   to  be 

feared  by  every  nation  upon  earth. 

pre!ent'e7w    f"  "'"'  •""  P""'"'  ^'="<'  ^^  --'-d 

colon"       i         "^  P'^'^S  much  attention  to  a  new 

lony  so  distant  and  unimportant  as  Newfoundland 

The  island  had  been  considered  as  belonging  to  Enc 
n  ,  le  to  "        ^  "'"  '  y"'  "°  '^ff"'-' "'»''  '"Aerto  been 

Sw-tSsir^'™-''-— ^''•-abbi: 


72 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


In  1610,  its  colonization  was  first  attempted  ;  for  in 
that  year  James  I.  granted  a  patent  to  the  Lord  Chan- 
cellor Bacon,  Lord  Vernkm,  the  Earl  of  Northampton, 
Lord  Chief  Baron  Tai*  field,  Sir  John  Doddridge,  and 
forty  other  persons,  under  the  designation  of  the 
"  Treasurer  and  Company  of  Adventurers  and  Plant- 
ers of  the  Cities  of  London  and  Bristol,  for  the  Colony 
of  Newfoundland."  This  patent  granted  the  lands  be- 
tween Capes  St.  Mary's  and  Bonavista,  with  the  seas 
and  islands  lying  witliin  ten  leagues  of  the  coast,  for 
the  purpose  of  securing  forever  the  tnide  of  fishing 
to  British  subjects. 

In  virtue  of  this  patent,  the  first  party  of  English 
settlers  came  out  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  Guy,  an 
intelligent  and  enterprisin:-  mercluint  of  Bristol.      Mr. 
Guy  and  his  party  settled  in  Conception  Bay.      His 
reports  of  the  island  and  it5  capabilities  were  very  fa- 
vorable ;  and,  after  nearly  two  years'  residence  there,  he 
returned  to  England,  leaving  the  infant  colony  in  charge 
of  \v  illiam  Colston,  whose  views  and  reports  of  the 
island   yere   not  so   f  ivorable.      It  is  not  improbable 
that  Mr.  Colston,  at  least  in  part,  formed  his  opinion  of 
the  island,  from  the  serious  fact  that  twenty-five  of  the 
settlers  were  seized  with  scurvy,  six  of  whom   died. 
The  nineteen  who  recovered  are  stated  to  have  owed 
their  lives  to  the  use  of  turnips  as  an  article  of  food. 
Had  that^  powerful   antiscorbutic,  spruce  beer,  — now 
so  generally  used  in  Newfoundland,  —  been  then  known, 
possibly  those  cases  of  scurvy  would  not  have  happened. 
Mr.  Guy  went  back  to  the  island,  in  the  summer  of 
1612,  when  he  made  a  survey  of  the  coast,  and  ex- 
erted himself  in  every  way  for  the  arrangement  uf  the 
colony.     The   aborigines,  or  Red  Indians,  were  then 
lords  of  the  soil.     They  kne^^  nothing  of  the  white 


man's  gun 

,  course  wit! 

In  perfo 

of  Red  I] 

course." 

we  are  not 

tion  Bay  •  : 

tliat  bay,  c 

says,  the  ai 

to  paint  the 

Little  m* 

have  reiatec 

the   settlem 

guished. 

The  first 

power  of  ar 

quencies ;   a 

them ;  and  1 

Johns  and  c 

purpose  of  f 

To  remedy  t 

to  order,  in 

porary  of  S] 

Drake,  —  wh 

foundJand,  wi 

admiralty,  to 

complained  oi 

grant   dishon< 

ately  on  his  ai 

of  vessels  subi 

I     he   endeavorei 
quented  harbo 
I     bourne  exercis 
after,  we  find  ] 


HISTORT. 


73 


Zl'Zt'  "'^^f— «.  -d  Held  friendly  infer. 
■      Z      f       \^  ^'^  ""'^'"^  "'""g  their  shores. 

">«rse.       In  what  part  of  the  island  this  took  place 

rc  /"^r". ''  ""■="'"  ''^^'^  •'-"  -  Cone;: 

:  ;      he',  i        •  "  '"'''T^'"  ^°™'"  -f--'  'Edition 

hat'SuTi?.?-"'"  "'  "''^  "'^"    *^"  -•>^*  - 
he   ,1^  1         .      '.    f  ™PP°''''''  ^°°°  «ft«^  abandoned 

ihed       '  "'"''  "  """^^'"^"^^  <J-<='^'y  '-- 

The  first  settlers  had  no  goverriment,  or  police  or 
power  of  any  kind,  to  restrain  evil,  or  punirddin 

tZZLT'';,  '''''""''   -n'prevLe""; 
rin  '       f     ^  """'^  «™"P^  »f  '*^'««^  bands  in  St 

purpose  of  fishmg,  perpetrated  crimes  with  impunity 

to  order,  ,n  161,5,  Captain  Whitbourne,  -  a  contem 
porary  of  Sir  Humph.-ev  Gilbert  and  Sir  R  J 
Drake,  -  who  had  hiL.f  n.,eZ.;iyl;J:Zj- 
foundland,  was  sent  there,  with  a  commisLn  from  t^J 
adm,raty  to  establish  order,  investigate  the  alfel 
eomplamed  of  by  the  fishermen,  and  repress  the  1 

f;:;'  '•'^--t^  «-  gene^ny  manlfelr  ImmedT. 
a  ely  on  h.s  arrival,  one  hundred  and  seventy  „s 
of  vessels  submitted  themselves  to  his  jurisdicLn    and 

LTedZr'  '%'""''"''  ^"'-  "   the  to^t'L 
bourn!  .  J'  '^''  ""'  '»"g  "'^'  Captain  Whit- 

'»urne  exercised  his   judicial  power?  •  fn.    f 

afte„  ,,._  p    ,  .  .  J  u'<-'>«i  powers,  for,  two   years 

atte.,  «..  fi.,a  nnn^as  chief  of  a  body  of  Welch  settlers, 


74 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


sent  out  \)y  Doctor  Vauglian  to  form  a  settlement  in 
a  harbor  iii  Fortune  Ray,  wliujh  was  tlien  called  Cam- 
briot,  now  Harbor  Britain,  on  land  purchased  from  the 

patentees. 

In  1028,  another  party  of  settlers  came  out,  under 
the  direction  of  Sir  George  Calvert,  afterward  Lord 

Baltimore. 

This  has  been  called  the  first  settlement  of  New- 
foundland. There  had  been  two  attempts  to  colonize 
it  before  this  time,  as  we  have  rehited :  one  in  IGIO, 
under  Guy,  the  other  in  1G17,  under  Captain  Whit- 
bourne  ;  and,  altlumivh  some  of  the  settlers  remained, 
yet  in  neither  of  these  cases  was  the  plan  successful  ; 
therefore  the  year  1023  is  considered  as  the  time  when 
the  island  was  settled. 

Sir  George  Calvert  was  an  Irishman  and  a  Roman 
Catiiolic.  He  obtained  a  large  tract  of  land  on  the 
eastern  coast,  between  Bay  Bulls  and  Cape  St.  Mary's, 
where,  with  a  number  of  his  countrymen  and  co- 
religionists, he  took  up  his  residence,  making  Ferry- 
land  his  head-quarters.  To  his  Newfoundland  estate 
he  crave  the  name  of  Avalon,  from  the  ancient  name  of 
Glastonburg,  the  place  where  tradition  says  Christian- 
ity was  first  preached  in  England. 

"  Lord  Baltimore  built  a  handsome  residence  in  Ferry- 
land,  erected  a  strong  fort,  formed  salt-works,  and 
trathered  around  him  a  prosperous  settlement.  He  re- 
sided there  about  twenty  years,  when  he  returned  to 
England ;  when,  through  the  favor  of  Charles  I.,  he 
went  out  to  colonize  Maryland,  from  whence  arose  the 
fine  city,  in  that  state,  which  still  bears  his  name. 

By  the  year  1040,  fifteen  or  sixteen  settlements  had 
been  formed  in  different  parts  of  the  coast,  including 
about  three  hundred  and  fifty  families. 


FISHING    ADMIKAIJ. 


T6 


In  1635,  tlie  ki 


„  granted  permission  to  the  French 
to  cure  and  dry  Bsh  on  the  land,  on  condition  of  pay- 
ing hve  per  cent,  of  tlie  produce.  Encouraged  by  this, 
^.eKreneh  afterwards  fbnned  a  settlement  in  I'lacentia 
Hay,  which  tliey  long  continued  to  occupy,  and  which 
was  a  source  of  trouble  to  the  British  settlers. 

In  1633,  the  king  issued  a  document,  directed  to  the 
i.ord    Treasurer   and   others,  commanding  them  «  to 
erect   a  common  fishery,  as  a  nunery  for  seamen;" 
and,  at  the  same  time,  exempting  the  British  fisheries 
from     tax  or  toll."     In  this  same  year  the  first  laws 
were  promulgated  by  royal  authority,  and  called  "  re..u- 
ations  for  the  governing  of  his  majesty's  subjects,  1n- 
luAitmg  Newfoundland,  or  traffiokiny  in  bays"     The 
purport  of  these  laws  was,  first,  that  all  persons  who 
comniitted  murder,  or  theft  above  forty  shillings,  should 
be  taken  to  England  for  trial ;  second,  that  no  buildings, 
erected  for  prosecuting  the  fishery,  should  be  destroyed 
at  the  end  of  the  voyage;  third,  that  the  master  of  the 
first  fishing-vessel,  arriving  at  any  port,  shmld  be  admi- 
rat  of  the  same  during  the  season. 

The  two  first  laws  were  good ;  but  the  third,  or  eov- 
ernment  by  the  fishing  admirals,  was  perhaps  the  most 
monstrous  law  that  ever  disgraced  any  free  colony  of 
he  British  nation.     These  fishing  admirals  were  arbi- 
trary  men,  and   grossly   ignorant.      They   were  all 
either  traders  or  common  fishermen ;  and,  in  time,  they 
improved  upon  the  law ;  for  the  first  captain  of  an  En/- 
Iis>.  vessel  who  arrived  in  port  in  the  spring,  would  be 
admiral,  the  second  rear-admiral,  the  third  vice-admiral, 
and  the  fourth  post-captain. 

These  admirals  were  empowered  to  "  settle  all  dis- 
putes among  the  fishermen,  and  enforce  due  attention  to 
certain  acts  of  parliament."     I„  their  judicial  charac- 


70 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


ter,  they  would  decide  cases,  according  to  their  caprice, 
over  a  bottle  of  i-uiii  ;  and  frequently  would  inflict  sum- 
mary punishment,  by  flogging  the  culprit  with  a  rope's 

end. 

This  iniquitous  system  continued  for  nearly  one  hun- 
dred years.  It  began,  indeed,  to  decline  in  the  early 
part  of  the  last  century;  but  it  A.r  on;'  ribout  the 
time  of  the  revolutionary  war  lluit  it  entirely  ceased. 
In  the  year  1823,  the  writer  made  a  voyage  to  the 
westward,  in  the  ship  Duck,  Captain  Nicholas,  who 
was  then  about  seventy  years  of  age.  He  well  re- 
membered the  fishing  admirals ;  and  he  himself  had 
once  chanced  to  be  a  post-captain. 


N 


i 


CHAPTER   IV. 


DISPLANTIXO  THE  INHABITANTS  -  ST.  JOHNS  CAPTURED  -  FRENCH  IN 
PLACEMiA-ST.  JOHNS  '^APTURKD  A  SECOND  TIME  -  GOVERNOR 
OSBORNE -8URR0OATK  COUKTS  -  8T.  JOHNS  CAPTURED  A  THIRD 
TIME  -  GREAT  STOKM  -  ADMIRAL  RICHERY  -  FIKST  NEWSPAPER 
-ST.  JOHNS  BURNED -THE  RALS  -  SIR  THOMAS  COCHRANE- 
FIRST  PARLIAMENT  -  STEAMERS  -  VISIT  OF  THE  PRINCE  OF  WALES 
—  TABLES  AND    STATISTICS^ 

Q  OON  after  the  discovery  of  the  island  by  Cabot,  the 
kJ  fishery  gave  employment  to  a  numl       of  British 
ships  ;  and  it  was  seen  that  those  fisheries  would  prove 
beneficial  not  oidy  to  commerce,  but  would  become  a 
nursery  for  seamen,  to  man  the  royal  navy.     As  far 
back  as  the  year  1549,  an  act  of  parliament  was  passed 
-m-  the  "  beti.T  encouragement  of  the  fisheries  of  New- 
foundland."    1:,  the  vei^^n  of  Queen  Elizabeth  there 
were      vo   hundred  and  sixty  ships  employed  in  the 
fishe'ies ;  and  it  >       mainly  from  the  fishermen  of  these 
vessels  that  she    aannc      her  fleets  which  defeated  the 
powerful  Spanish  Armauu. 

Charles  I.,  in  a  commission  tor  "  well  governino-  his 
subje<  ^sinNe  foundland,".says:  "  The  navigators'' and 
manners  of  the  realm  have  been  much  creased  by  the 
Newfoundland  fisheries." 

B  'leficial,  however,  as  these  fisheries  were  to  the 
motiier  country,  yet  they  met  with  serious  opposition 
m  England;  and,  whac  was  worse,  the  crovernment 
gave  its  aid  in  the  persecutior,  of  the  people,  and  for 
the  destruction  of  this  important  and  rising  rolmiv 
which  It  had  employed  so  much  effort,  a^  d  .  xpe  ,ded  ^= 

7*  •  ^ 


78 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


much  money  on,  to  brlnj^  to  its  then  prosperous  condition. 
The  cause  of  this  opposition  was  tlie  jealousy  bet\v(Hm 
tlie  two  parties  engaged  respectively  in  the  bank  and 
in  the  shore  fislieries. 

In  the  commencement,  tlie  fishery  was  mostly  car- 
ried on  by  vessels  which  came  from  England  in  the 
spring,  fished  on  the  banks,  and  returned  in  the  fall, 
visiting  the  land  only  to  make  or  cure  their  fish.  This 
was  called  the  "bank-fishery.'*  Lut  when  settlers 
came,  and  made  the  island  their  home,  they  built  fish- 
ing-boats, and  fished  near  the  land.  This  was  the 
"shore-fishery."  There  was  really  no  conflicting  in- 
terest here,  for  there  was  iidh  enough  for  both  parties. 

Nevertheless,  a  bad  *  feeling  existed  between  them. 
Sir  Josiah  Child  had  vessels  engaged  in  the  bank-fishery, 
and,  in  the  year  1670,  he  published  a  pani])hlet  to  prove 
that  the  bank-fishery,  which  employed  those  seamen 
who  so  often  had  manned  the  sliij  s  of  war,  was  seri- 
ously injured  by  the  boat  or  shore  fishery,  and  that  it 
had  declined  to  a  great  extent ;  for  while,  in  the  year 
1605,  it  employed  two  hundred  and  fifty  vessels,  it  at 
that  time  employed  only  eighty.  He  imputed  this  de- 
cline to  the  shore  fishery  carried  on  by  the  settlers; 
and  said,  if  the  shore-fishery  were  permitted  to  increase, 
it  would  in  time  "  engross  the  whole  business,  and  thus 
the  nursery  for  seamen  would  be  destroyed."  He  there- 
fore advised  that  no  more  emigration  should  take  place 
to  Newfoundland,  and  that  those  persons  and  families, 
who  had  already  settled  there,  should  he  displanted. 

In  our  day  no  civilized  government  would  pay  any 
attention  to  such  advice ;  while  a  proposition  like  that 
offered  by  Sir  Josiah  Child  would  be  universally  de- 
nounced as  absurd,  unjust,  and  barbarous.  It  was  not 
so  regarded  in  those  days.     Three  years  before  the 


above-r 
applied 
ow  ners 
plicatioi 
applicat 
not  onl 
Child  w 
tations ; 
what  w 
while  er 
bank-fis! 
for  all  p 
tling  on 
inhabita 
and  tlia 
driven  o\ 

This 

force ;  ai 

with  ord 

destructi 

of  that  1 

he  sent  \ 

and  very 

much    n 

burned,  i 

persons  \ 

adoption. 

Mr.  Do^ 

from  the 

secution  < 

vented  tl 

tained   st 

take  out 

foundlanc 


DISPLANTINO   THE   INHABITANTS. 


79 


above-namod  pamplilet  was  issued,  tlie  settlers  liad 
apjilied  for  a  governor;  but  the  merchants  and  sliip- 
Dwners  engaged  in  tlie  bank-fishery  opposed  tlie  ap- 
ph'cation,  and  it  was  rejected.  In  the  year  1074,  tlie 
application  for  a  governor  was  renewed,  when  it  was 
not  only  again  rejected,  but  the  advice  of  Sir  Josiali 
Child  was  adoi)ted  by  the  "  Boiird  of  Trade  and  Plan- 
tations;" and,  at  its  instance,  the  government  issued 
what  was  caned  the  ''  Western  Charter,"  by  which, 
while  encouragement  is  given  to  the  fisheries,  yet  the 
bank-tisherics  are  only  intended  by  that  expression  ; 
for  all  persons  are  in  that  charter  prohibited  from  "  set- 
tling on  the  shores  or  coasts  of  the  island  ;  "  and  "  no 
inhabitant  allowed  to  live  withm  sh  milea  of  the  sea  ; 
and  that  any  person  transgressing  this  law  might  be 
driven  out  of  the  country. 

This  luolish  and  wicked  law  was  actually  put  in 
forc(> ;  and  Sir  John  Berry  was  sent  to  Newfoundland, 
with  orders  for  the  d  oortation  of  the  inhabitants,  the 
destruction   of  their  .lOuses,  and  the   entire  uprooting 
of  that  thriving  colony.     Berry  was  a  humane  man"^ 
he  sent  home  strong  remonstrances  against  the  law, 
and  very  reluctantly  carried  out  his  commission.     Still 
much    misery    was    occasioned  :    many   houses    were 
burned,  man\'  outrages  committed,  and  a  number  of 
persons  were  innocently  expelled  from  the  land  of  their 
adoption.     This  persecution  lasted  for  two  years,  when 
Mr.   Downing,  one  of  the  residents,  obtained  an  order 
from  the  king,  Charles  II.,  to  prevent  any  further  per- 
secution of  the  people.     But  this  order,  while  it  pre- 
vented the  further  deportation  of  the  settlers,  also  con- 
tained  strict   injunctions,    forbidding    '» any  vessel    to 
take  out  emigrants,  or   any  person  to  settle  in  New- 
foundland."    This  occurred  in  1676. 


Hi 


80 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


For  twenty  years  did  the  prohibition  of  emigra- 
tion to  Newfoundland  continue,  during  which  time, 
constant  complaints  were  made  to  the  government 
that  the  laws  in  this  case  were  evaded  ;  Avhile  counter 
representations  were  made  by  those  who  were  favora- 
ble to  the  settlement  of  the  country.  It  is  satisfac!:<)ry 
to  know  that  no  further  rigorous  measures  were  taken  ; 
and,  in  1697,  the  "  Board  of  Trade  and  Plantations" 
published  a  report,  that  "  a  number  of  inhabitants,  not 
exceeding  one  thousand,  might  be  usefully  employed 
in  constructing  boats,  stages  for  drying  fish,  and  other 
matters  connected  with  the  fisheries." 

The  permission  that  had  been  given  to  the  French, 
"  to  cure  and  dry  fish,"  and  the  connivance  at  their 
settlement  in  Placentia,  caused  the  English  much 
trouble  in  the  reign  of  William  III.  One  cause  of 
war  with  France,  at  this  time,  was  set  forth  in  these 
words  :  "  That  of  late  the  encroachments  of  the  French 
upon  Newfoundland  and  His  Majesty's  subjects'  trade 
and  fishery  there,  had  been  more  like  the  invasions  on 
an  enemy  than  becoming  friends,  tvho  enjoyed  the  ad- 
vantages of  that  trade  only  by  permisaion.^^ 

During  the  war  with  France,  which  raged  in  this 
reign,  Newfoundland  was  several  times  the  scene  of 
fearful  conflicts  between  the  contendino;  hosts.  The 
French,  having  had  possession  of  Placentia  for  more 
than  half  a  century,  had  strongly  fortified  it ;  so  that 
when  it  was  attacked  by  a  squadron  under  Commander 
Williams,  it  so  far  resisted  the  attack,  that  the  British 
succeeded  only  in  destroying  the  works  on  Point 
Vesti,  at  the  entrance  of  the  harbor.  The  garrison 
still  remained  in  the  hands  of  the  French.  This  oc- 
curred in  September,  1692. 

In  1696,  four  years  later.  Chevalier  Nesmond  ar- 


rived wit] 

on  the  is 

turned  to 

othe%  Fre: 

in   concer 

again  attfi 

tary  stores 

to  surrend 

burned,  ar 

Ibbervil 

proceeded 

destroyed 

and    Bona 

against  his 

fairly  let  k 

both  Engli 

the  uttenr 

reached    E 

fifteen  huri 

cover    the 

ignorance  c 

commander 

from  retries 

For  two 

Newfoundk 

wick,  in  16 

matters  in 

they  were  l 

By  this 
deporting  t 
discontinued 
Newfoundli 
Several  acts 
the  fisheries 


CAPTURE    OF   ST.    JOHNS. 


81 


rived  with  a  Frendi  squadron,  and,  aided  by  the  force 
on  the  island,  attacked  St.  Johns,  but  failed,  and  re- 
turned to  France.  Before  the  close  of  the  year,  an- 
othei^Frerfbh  squadron,  under  Brouillon,  arrived,  who 
m  concert  with  Ibberville,  the  military  commander,' 
agam  attacked  St.  Johns,  which  being" short  of  mili- 
tary stores,  and  in  a  defenceless  state,  was  compelled 
to  surrender ;  upon  which  the  town  and  garrison  were 
burned,  and  the  troops  sent  to  England  on  parole. 

Ibberville,  having  captured  and  destroyed  St.  Johns, 
proceeded  along  the  coast,  and  with  sword  and  fire  hj 
destroyed   all  the   British  stations,   except  Carbonear 
and    Bonavista,     which    were    successfully    defended 
against  his  attacks.     '*  The  dogs  of  war "  were  now 
fairly  let  loose  onthat  unhappy  island,  to  possess  which, 
both  England  and  France  determined  to  contend  to 
the   uttermost.     The   news   of  this   French  invasion 
reached    England,   when    a    British    squadron,    with 
fifteen  hundred  men  on  board,  was  dispatched  to  re- 
cover   the    lost  territory;    but   unfortunately,    either 
Ignorance  or  cowardice,  or  both,  prevented  the  British 
er>mmanders.  Admiral  Nevil   and   Sir  John   Gikon, 
from  retrieving  the  honor  of  their  country's  flag. 

For  two  years  did  the  homes  of  the  persecuted 
Newfoundlanders  lie  waste,  until  the  peace  of  Rys- 
wick,  in  1697,  put  an  end  to  hostilities,  and  placed 
matters  in  that  country  in  a  similar  position  to  what 
they  were  before  the  war  commenced. 

By  this  time,  the  government  saw  the  folly  of 
deporting  the  people  from  the  island,  and  not  "only 
discontinued  all  persecution  in  that  wav,  but  declared 
Newfoundluid  ^^free  to  all  his  maje;ty's  subjects." 
Several  acts  of  parliament  were  now  passed,  regulatincr 
the  fisheries;  and   the  importation   of  fish,  taken  by 


..<tl4i'.-^^2c^U>>3«J^2>' 


82 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


foreigners  in  foreign  vessels,  was  strictly  prohibited. 
The  preamble  of  the  act  lOtli  and  11th  William  and 
Mary  declares,  that  "  the  trade  and  fisheries  of  New- 
foundland is  a  beneficial  trade  to  the  kingdom,  in^  the 
employing  of  a  great  number  of  seanien  and  ships,  to 
the  increase  of  her  majesty's  revenue,  and  the  encour- 
agement of  trade  and  navigation." 

Thus  far,  there  was  neither  gospel  nor  law  in  New- 
foundland ;  and  the  fishing  admirals  were  the  only 
executive  then  known.  The  money-loving  merchants 
of  that  day  were  favorable  to  this  system,  because  these 
admirals  were  their  paid  servants,  or  the  captains 
of  their  own  ships,  and  they  could  fee,  or  control  their 
decisions,  and  thus  govern  the  people  at  their  will. 

In  1702,  war  again  broke  out  between  England  and 
France,  when  Sir  John  Leake  was  dispatched  by 
Queen  Anne,  with  a  British  squadron,  to  take  posses- 
sion of  the  whole  island ;  and  although  he  did  not  fully 
succeed,  yet  he  captured  twenty-nine  sail  of  French 
ships,  and  with  this  booty  he  returned  to  England 
in  the  autumn. 

In  1705,  the  French  garrison  of  Placentia  was  rein- 
forced by  five  hundred  men  from  Canada,  when  they 
destroyed  several  British  settlements,  and  carried  their 
devastation  as  far  north  as  Bonavista.  The  following 
year,  a  British  force  under  Captain  Underdown  de- 
stroyed a  number  of  French  ships,  and  drove  the  enemy 
from  their  recent  conquests.  The  British  parliament, 
now  alive  to  the  importance  of  Newfoundland  as  a 
colony,  earnestly  entreated  the  queen  to  "  use  her 
royal  endeavors  to  recover  and  preserve  the  ancient 
possessions,  trade,  and  fisheries  of  Newfoundland." 

But  little  attention  v.as  paid  to  this  address  of  parlia- 
ment, and  the  French,  aware  of  the  inadequate  British 


force,  de 

island. 

mander 

aoainst  tl 

beino;  dis( 

attacked 

1st  of  Jar 

almost    e 

Carbonea 

their  atta^ 

Newfoi 

the  Frenc 

brilliant  s 

of  Europ( 

Treaty  oi 

pelled  to 

foundland 

reserving 

and  dry  f 

vista  on  tl 

ern  ;  also 

Miquelon, 

Both  tl 

prospered, 

the  peace, 

in  the  tra( 

but  rivalle 

Spain    anc 

ments  also 

which  the 

population 

island,   wh 

administra 

from   tliat 

province. 


THE    FISHERIES. 


83 


force,  determined  to  expel  all  the  English  from  the 
island.  Accordingly,  St.  Ovide,  the  French  com- 
mander at  Placentia,  was  despatched  with  a  force 
against  the  British.  He  landed  at  Bay  of  Bulls  without 
being  discovered,  marched  over  the  frozen  ground,  and 
attacked  and  completely  destroyed  St.  Johns  on  the 
1st  of  January,  1708.  After  which,  the  French  seized 
almost  every  English  station  on  the  island  except 
Carbonear,  which  again  nobly  defended  itself  against 
their  attack. 

Newfoundland  was  now  virtually  in  the  power  of 
the  French,  and  would  have  continued  so  but  for  the 
brilliant  success  of  the  British  arms  on  the  continent 
of  Europe.  This  war  termifiated  with  the  celebrated 
Treaty  of  Utrecht,  by  which  the  French  were  com- 
pelled to  concede  the  exclusive  sovereignty  of  New- 
foundland ai'd  the  adjacent  islands  to  Great  Britain  ; 
reserving  only  a  right  to  the  subjects  of  France  to  cure 
and  dry  fish  on  the  coast,  lying  between  Cape  Bona- 
vista  on  the  eastern  side,  and  Point  Rich  on  the  west- 
ern ;  also  to  occupy  the  small  islands  of  St.  Pierre  f)"d 
Miquelon,  with  a  police  force  of  fifty  men. 

Both  the  English  and  the  French  settlements  now 
prospered,  so  that  in  the  year  1721,  eight  years  after 
the  peace,  the  French  employed  four  hundred  vessels 
in  the  trade;  and  not  only  supplied  France  with  fish, 
but  rivalled  the  British  in  the  fish-trade  in  the  ports  of 
Spain  and  the  Mediterranean.  The  British  settle- 
ments also,  notwithstanding  all  the  disadvantages  under 
which  they  labored,  continued  rapidly  to  advance  in 
population  and  in  interest,  so  that  in  the  year  1729,  the 
island,  which  had  hitherto  been  under  the  nominal 
administration  of  Nova  Scotia,  was  now  withdrawn 
from  that  position,  and  constituted  into  a  separate 
province. 


84 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSION  A  UIL3. 


But  the  govormiient  of  this  now  province  was  a 
great  ditliculty.  In  many  i)arts,  tlio  pc()[)le  were  com- 
})letely  lawless:  they  fought,  (luarrelled,  and  coinniit- 
ted  all  kinds  of  crime  without  restraint ;  and  rule  by 
the  fishing  admirals  was  anarchy  itself.  To  remedy 
this,  Ca})tain  Henry  Osborne,  of  her  majesty's  navy, 
was  apiminted  governor  and  connnander-in-chief ;  but, 
by  his  commission,  was  required  to  obey  the  instruc- 
tions of  Lord  Vere  Beauclerc,  the  naval  commander 
stationed  at  Newfoundland. 

Governor  Osborne  divided  the  island  into  districts, 
appointed  justices  of  the  .peace  and  other  officers  in 
t!i<we  districts  ;  and  copies  of  "  Shaw's  Practical  Jus- 
tice of  the  Peace  "  were  given  to  those  newly-appointed 
officers,  to  guide  them  in  their  decisions,  lie  also 
levied  a  rate  of  a  hmlf  a  quintal  of  fish  on  all  fishing- 
rooms  and  fishing-boats,  for  the  purpose  of  building 
jails  and  })utting  up  stocks,  that  the  justic  might 
have  the  moans  of  punishing  oflfenders.  He  'ikewise 
appointed  a  new  class  of  magistrates,  called  '•^  floating 
surrogates^  These  were  captains  of  ships  of  war,  who 
were  empowered  to  hold  courts  in  the  different  harbors 
they  visited,  and  "  determine  in  a  summary  way  all 
suits  and  com{)laints  of  a  civil  nature  within  the  island 
of  Newfoundland."  In  time,  besides  the  floating 
surrogates,  resident  surrogates  vvere  also  appointed, 
with  equal  powers ;  and  for  nearly  one  hundred  years 
the  laws  in  the  out-harbors  were  administered  either 
by  the  magistrates,  who  had  jurisdiction  in  cases  of  a 
civil  nature  not  exceeding  forty  shillings,  or  by  the 
surrogates,  who  had  power  to  decide  all  cases  not 
exceeding  forty  pounds. 

The  f?urrogato  court  wa?  certainly  an  improvement 
upon    the    court  of  the  fishing    admirals,  which  now 


ST.    JOHNS    CAPTURi:!)    A    TIIIIID    TIME. 


85 

began  to  decline,  and  in  time  became  extinct.  The 
surrogate  courts  continued  down  to  tlie  year  1820 
when  the  charge  of  "  partial  and  corrupt  administra- 
tion of  justice  "  having  been  preferred  against  them  to 
the  nnpenal  government,  and  particularly  in  the  case 
of  floggmg  a  civilian  by  the  joint  order  of  a  clerical 
and  a  floatmg  surrogate,  the  surrogate  courts  were 
abolished  by  royal  authority. 

But  to  return :  the  new  state  of  things  made  by 
(xovernor  Osborne  was  violently  opposed  by  the  fishin<. 
admn-als,  and  some  of  the  new-made  justices  were  quite 
as  Ignorant  as  they  were ;  while  others  of  them  tliou<dit 
their  office  as  justice  of  the  peace  interfered  with  them 
in  the  way  of  trade,  a«d  brought  upon  them  the  ill-will 
or  the  people. 

In  1741,  a  court  of  vice-admiralty  was  established  ; 
and  m  1751,  a  court  of  oyer  and  terminer  for  the 
tna  of  felons,  instead  of  sending  them  to  England  for 
trial.  ° 

Newfoundland,  although  it  had  been  ceded  to  En.r- 
land  for   fifty  years,  yet  lacked  sufficient  force,  bot1i 
naval  and  military,  to  protect  her  coasts  in  the  time  of 
danger      It  was  so  in  1762,  when  a  French  squadron 
arnved  in  the  Bay  of  Bulls,  proceeded  overland  as  it 
had  done  in  1708,  and  finding  tlie  small  garrison  in 
fet.    Johns  unable  to    defend   itselt;   they  were    made 
prisoners  of  war,  and  the  town,  for  the  third  time   fell 
into  the  hands  of  the  French.     From  St.  Johns'  the 
i^rench  proceeded   to   Carbonear  and   Trinity,  where 
they  committed  all  sorts  of  depredations.     Intelligence 
of  this  occurrence  was  communicated  to  Lord  Gdville 
the    British    commander-in-chief,    tlum    stationed    in 
Hiilifax    who   immediately  sailed    for   Newfoundland. 


■  when   the  British   ndmir<.l   arr''''»-l    n^    C!'^      T   1 


le 


86 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


found  a  superior  French  force,  under  Admiral  de  Ter- 
nay,  lying  at  anchor  within  the  harbor.     Previous  to 
the   arrival  of  Lord   Colville,  the   settlers  had  them- 
selves made  arrangements  for  assisting   in   an   attack 
upon  the  French.     Robert  Carter,  of  Ferryland,  and 
Mr.    Brooks,    of  Bay    of    Bulls,    had,   at   their   own 
expense,  collected  a  number  of  bank-fishing  or  western 
boats,  cut  them  down,  and  had  made  them  into  row- 
galleys,  ready  for  an  emergency.     His  lordship  availed 
himself  of  these  Newfoundland   galleys:    he   manned 
them  with  fishermen,  and  placed  them  under  the  com- 
mand of  Mr.  Carter  and  Mr.  Brooks.     He  embarked 
a  number  of  the  military  on  board  of  this  little  fleet, 
and  in  the  evening  despatched  them  to  Torbay,  which 
is  seven  miles  to  the  north  of  St.  Johns.     The  expe- 
dition arrived  at  Torbay  the   next  morning,  and  the 
troops,  under  command  of  Colonel  Amherst,  immedi- 
atelv  marched  for  St.  Johns.     In  the  meantime.  Lord 
Colville,  who  was  now  off  St.  Johns,  made  a  feint  of 
landing  his  troops  at  Quidy  Widy,  when  a  sharp  contest 
ensued.     Tlie  English  fought   desperately   up    Signal 
Hill,  but  for  a  time  seemed  likely  to  fail.     Just  then 
the  troops  from  Torbay  arrived,  and  the  victory  was  in 
favor  of  the  British.     The  French  admiral,  seeing  his 
danger,  took  advantage  of  a  thick  fog,  ran  out  of  the 
harbor,  and    passed    the   British    fleet   without   being 
observed.     On  the  10th  of  February  following  (1763), 
was  signed  the  famous  Treaty  of  Paris,  which  again 
put  an  end  to  hostilities,  and  gave  Newfoundland  back 
to    Great    Britain,    as    settled     by    the    Treaty    of 
Utrecht  in  1713. 

In  the  year  1763,  Labrador   wab   annexed   to  the 
iiovernment  of   Newfoundland. 

In   1764,    under    Governor   Sir    Hugh    Palliser,    a 


custom-h 

year  foil 

tended  t( 

Durin« 

of  Newfc 

also  for  V 

supplied 

quence,  i 

and  pork 

plenty,  f( 

fish  was  \ 

While 

in  conseqi 

ence,  she 

wind,  whi 

storms  ar 

the    torn a 

that  year 

StOlTll." 

sprung  uj 
waves  to 
rose  twent 
fishino;-sta, 
while  the 
boats  were 
of  whose  c 

In  1783 
of  Versail] 
more  brou 
boundaries 
Shore,  whi( 
1785,  the 
10,000,  M'il 

In  1789. 


GREAT    STORM. 


87 


custom-house  was  established  in  St.  Johns  ;  and,  the 
year  followin.cr,  the  « Navigation  Laws "  were'  ex- 
tended to  Newfoundland. 

During  the  American  revolutionary  war,  the  trade 
ot  Newfoundland  suffered  severely  by  privateers,  and 
also  for  want  of  provisions,  which  used  to  be  extensively 
supplied  from  the  New  England  States  :  in  conse- 
quence, flour  rose  to  twenty-five  and  thirty  dollars 
and  pork  to  fifty  dollars,  per  barrel.  But  money  was 
plenty,  for  the  fishery  was  good  ;  and  merchantable 
fish  was  worth  nine  dollars  per  quintal. 

While  Newfoundland  was  suffering  in  her  commerce, 
in  consequence  of  the  American  struggle  for  independ- 
ence, she  suffered  more    by  a  most  terrible  gale   of 
wmd,  which  covered  her  coasts  with  wrecks.     Heavy 
storms  and  wrecks   are  of  frequent    occurrence  ;  but 
the    tornado  of  1775    has,  in   Newfoundland,  caused 
that  year  to  be  emphasized  as  "  the  year  of  the  great 
stoi-m."      An    unprecedented    furious    gale  of   wind 
sprung  up   from    the   east,  wh'ch   caused   the   ocean 
waves   to  lash  the  shore  with  a\;'Ur^.  power;  the  sea 
rose  twenty  feet  above  its  usual  height,  carrying  away 
fishing-stages,  -fish-houses,  flakes,  and  dwelling-ircuses  : 
while  the  wrecks  of  seven  hundred  vessels  anc  ri.-hing- 
boats  were  scattered  along  the  shores,  the  greate ;  cart 
of  whose  crews  had  perished  in  the  water. 

In  1783,  a  brief  peace  was  restored,  and  the  Treaty 
of  Versailles,  signed  on  the  3d  of  September,  once 
more  brought  tranquillity  to  the  island,  and  fixed  the 
l)oundaries  of  the  British  possessions,  and  the  French 
Shore,  which  are  the  boundaries  in  the  present  day.  In 
1785,  the  resident  population  was  estimated  at  about 
10,000,  with  near  8,000  acres  of  land  under  cultivation. 
In  1789,  s  Court  of  Common  Pleas  was  established 


88 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


bj  tlie  then  Governor,  Aclinlnil  Milbank.  In  1792,  a 
Supremo  Court  was  establisl\ed,  designated  the  "  Su- 
preme Court  of  Newfoundland,"  of  which  John  Reeves, 
Esq.,  was  the  Chief  Justice.  Surrogate  Courts  were 
also  established  in  the  principal  districts  of  the  island. 
On  the  breaking  out  of  the  French  revolution,  war 
was  again  declared  between  Eno;land  and  France. 
This  time,  Newfoundland  suffered  but  little  of  the 
horrors  of  war  ;  for  the  British  squadron  on  its  coasts, 
was  sufficient  to  protect  it  from  all  the  power  of 
France.  France,  indeed,  did  not  want  the  will  to 
annoy  the  inhabitants  of  the  island,  but  her  naval 
force  was  not  sufficient  to  do  much  damage.  She, 
however,  made  an  attempt  once  more  upon  St.  Johns, 
which,  in  this  case,  proved  a  complete  failure. 

In  the  year  1796,  on  the  morning  of  the  1st  of 
September,  a  formidable  French  fleet  appeared  off  St. 
Johns :  it  consisted  of  seven  sail  of  the  line,  two 
frisates,  and  several  small  vessels  of  war,  under  the 
command  of  Admiral  Richery.  The  flag-ship  and 
one  frigate  was  all  the  British  naval  force  then  in  the 
harbor  ;  but  Admiral  Sir  James  Wallace  was  then 
governor,  —  a  man  of  sound  judgment,  and  indomitable 
in  war.  Beside,  the  defences  of  the  harbor  had  been 
greatly  improved  since  the  French  invasion  of  1762. 
A  large  platform  had  been  built  on  South  Point,  called 
the  Duke  of  York's  Battery,  on  whick  were  mounted 
eight  twenty-four  pounder  guns,  rtiree  or  four  eighteen 
pounder  carronades,  and  two  ten-inch  mortars.  Fort 
Amherst,  on  the  south  side,  w*^  in  a  good  state, 
and  preparations  were  made  for  throwing  red- 
hot  shot.  Every  posable  airangement  was  made 
by   the    British    Admiral    to    meet    the    emergency. 

T'ho     florr-Qlim    anr\    tViiP    itrio-nfp    w»>rP'    r>ln;^pd    nt     nrnnpr 
-*  •*' Sj  T — » •■ : ~~     r-  'r  — 


distances, 
chain    was 
to  the  Pan 
bustibles,  i 
placed    in 
Regiment,' 
nier,    was 
volunteer  c 
ti-oops,  wer 
claimed   in 
arms,  whetl 
or  fisherme 
The  French 
attacking,  oi 
day,  they  fo 
Narrows.    E 
commence ; 
within  long 
shot  was  fire 
only  not   re 
whole   fleet 
continued  in 
the  south,  t( 
manner,   the 
people  into 
act,  the  fleet 
foreign  en  em 
During  the 
'olony  suffere 
were  well  mu 
which  were  p 
Portugal,  wer 
A  career  of  ; 
rapidiv  did  shf 


FRENCH    WAR. 


89 


distances,  so  as  to  command  tlie  Narrows  ;  the  larrre 
Cham    was   stretched    across,    from    the    Cliain    Rock 
to  the  Pancake  ;  and  three  schooners,  filled  with  com- 
bustjbles,  and  intended  to  be  used  as  fire-ships,  were 
placed    in    readiness.       "The    Royal   Newfoundland 
Regiment,"  which  had  been  formed  c^  ,,r.'ng  the  sum- 
mer,   M'as    then    considered    in    an    effici*^nt    state- 
volunteer  companies  of  artillery,  besides  the  regular 
troops,  were   in    the- garrison.     Martial  law  was  pro- 
claimed  m  the  town  ;    and   all   the   men  fit   to  bear 
arms,  whether  merchants,  clerks,  store-keepers,  sailors, 
or   fishermen     were    mustered   and    ready  for  action. 
1  he  French  fleet  stood  oif  and  on  for  three  days,  without 
attacking,  or  making  any  attempt  to  land.    On  the  third 
day,  they  formed  a  line  of  battle,  and  stood  in  for  the 
Narrows.    Every  one  now  expected  a  terrible  conflict  to 
commence ;  but  not  so.  The  van  ship  of  the  enemy  came 
within  long  range  of  the  guns  at  Fort  Amherst,  and  a 
shot  was  fired  at  her  from  Signal  Hill,  which  was  not 
only  not   replied   to,  but   most   unexj)ectedly  did  the 
whole   fleet  put  about,  and  stood  off  to  sea.     They 
continued  in  sight  for  several  days,  then  bore  away  to 
the  south,  to  Bay  Bulls,  which,  in  a  most  cowardly 
manner,   they  burnt,  and   drove  the  poor,  defenceless 
people  into    the  woods.     Shortly  after  this    dastardly 
act,  the  fleet  sailed  entirely  away,  since  which  time  no 
torein^n  enemy  has  ever  attempted  to  invade  the  island. 
During  the  remainder  of  this  long  French  war   the 
'olony  suffered  but  little  from  its  effects,  as  her  coasts 
were  well  guarded  by  British  ships  ;  and  her  markets, 
which  were  principally  the  different  ports  of  Spain  and 
1  ortugal,  were  generally  kept  open  by  the  British  nary, 
A  career  of  steady  prosperity  now  attended  her,  and 
rapidly  did  she  inc-..ase  in  wealth  and  influence.     In  the 

8* 


.WmB' 


90 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


year  1814,  at  tlie  close  of  the  war,  her  exports  are  said 
to  liave  reached  the  large  sum  of  jE 2,831,528  sterlmg. 

The  first  Dewspa[>er  was  issued  in  1807.  It  was 
called  "  The  Royal  Gazette  :  "  its  publisher  was  Mr. 
John  Ryan.  This  was  the  dawn  of  literature  upon 
that  dark  and  long-neg^>3cted  island.  It  was  a  weekly 
publication,  and  continued  to  be  published  in  the  same 
family  for  near  half  a  century.  For  thirteen  years, 
"  The  Royal  Gazette ''  was  the  only  issue  from  the 
Newfoundland  press  ;  but  in  1820,  Mr.  Henry  Winton 
issued  the  "  Public  Ledger,"  a  well  conducted,  and  a 
very  respectable  paper.  The  third  paper  was  '*  The 
Newfoundlander ; "  then  "  The  Newfoundland  Times;  " 
and  several  others  followed.  The  number  of  papers 
issued  on  the  island  in  1864  was  eleven. 

In  1815,  the  prosperity  of  Newfoundland  received  a 
check,  when,  at  the  close  of  the  American  war,  the  great 
price  of  fish  suddenly  fell  from  five  or  six  dollars  to 
two  :  this,  with  a  partial  failure  of  the  fisheries,  which 
happened  at  the  same  tim^  caused  the  ruin  of  so  oral 
commercial  houses,  and  »  volved  many  families  in 
want  and  suffering.  Bcsisles  this,  on  the  12th  of  the 
following  February  (1816),  a  most  fearful  ccmflagration 
laid  a  great  part  of  St.  Johns  in  ashes.  The  property 
destroyed  was  estimated  at  more  than  .£100,000 
sterling  ;  and  1,5U0  human  beings  were  left  homeless 
and  penniless,  in  the  midst  of  the  frost  and  storms 
of  a  Newfoundland  winter.  To  the  honor  of  the 
citizens  of  Boston,  let  it  be  recorded,  that,  as  soon 
as  the  news  of  this  calamity  reached  them,  they  at 
once  loaded  a  vessel  with  provisions,  and  clothing,  sent 
her  down  to  St.  Johns,  in  that  inclement  season,  and 
there  gratuitously  bestowed  those  provisions  and  neces- 
saries upon  the  suffering  aid  starving  poor. 


But     ther 

next  year,  18 

more  destruc 

Upon  this  oc 

thirteen  larm 

wi      provisio] 

dred   and    for 

sumed.     The 

at  X  500,000 

the  2lstoftli( 

besides  wliarv 

These  cala 

minds  of  the  p 

the  entire  abai 

at  no  distant  ] 

The  win    r 

1817-18  — vva 

and  in  the  diff^ 

people  wanted 

open   several 

''ommitted  oth 

food,   and   gen 

watch-word  to 

this   winter  wj 

Bay,  "  The  wh 

A  few  year 

commanded  a 

a  brighter  day 

tern  of  jurispri 

floatincr-surrojia 

from   all  parts 

nient  took  up  1 

Courts,  and  est; 

a  chief  justice 


▼  m 


SCARCITY    OF    POOD. 


91 


But  .-ther  calam'^ies  followod  in  succession.  The 
next  year,  1817,  on  the  7tli  MfNovo.nber, a  second  and 
more  destructive  fire  broke  oiu  ,  the  same  town. 
T  pon  this  occasion,  in  the  short  space  oi  ine  hours, 
thirteen  large  mercantile  estabh's'  nents,  well  shocked 
wu^>  provisions  for  th.  coming  winter,  with  one  Imn- 
dred  and  forty  dwelling-houses  were  entirely  con- 
sumed. The  loss  in  property  this  time  was  estimated 
at  £500,000  stc  rhng.  And  a  third  fire  occurred  on 
tlH'  21.st  of  the  same  month,  wlien  fifty-six  more  houses, 
be  ides  wharves  and       res,  were  consumed. 

'i  hese  calamities  spread  a  deep  gloom  upon  the 
mmds  of  the  people ;  and  for  a  time  it  seemed  as  thouo-h 
til  "  entire  abandonment  of  the  Colony  would  take  place 
at  no  distant  per"  )d. 

The  win  r  aiat  followed-  ^hat  is,  the  winter  of 
1817-18  —  was  a  time  of  great .  ess,  both  in  St.  Johns 
and  m  the  different  harbors  of  Conception  Bay.  The 
people  wanted  food,  and  in  theif  des|,eration  broke 
open  several  stores  and  dwelling-houses;  but  they 
'^ommitted  other  depredations  besides  their  search  for 
^ond,  and  generally  would  use  the  word  Ral,  as  a 
watch-word  to  their  companions  in  crime.  Hence, 
this  winter  was  called  by  the  people  of  Conception 
Bay,  "  The  winter  of  the  Bahr 

A  few  years  after,  the  fishery  improved  ;  the  fish 
commanded  a  higher  price  in  the  foreign  markets,  ar  I 
a  brighter  day  dawned  upon  the  island.  But  the  .s- 
tem  of  jurisprudence  was  defective,  and  against  the 
floating-surrogate  system  loud  complaints  were  heard 
from  all  parts  of  the  island.  The  Imperial  Parlia- 
ment took  up  the  matter  :  it  abolished  the  Surrogate 
Courts,  and  established  a  Supreme  Court,  consisting  of 
a  chief  justice  and  two  assistant  judges.     The  ishnd 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STkEET 

WEBSTER,  NY.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


92 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


was  divided  into  three  "  Circdits,"  Northern,  Central, 
and  Southern,  in  which  three  separate  courts  were 
held,  each  presided  over  by  one  of  the  three  judges. 
The  Supreme  Court  was  empowered  to  admit  qualified 
attorneys  to  practice  in  the  different  courts,  and  to 
grant  letters  of  administration  and  probates  of  wills. 
An  appeal  is  permitted  from  the  Circuit  Courts  to  the 
Supreme  Court,  and  from  the  Supreme  Court  to  the 
Queen  in  Council.  Courts  of  Quarter  Sessions  were 
now  also  established,  and  a  sheriff  appointed  from  year 
to  year. 

In  1825,  Sir  Thomas  Cochrane,  R.N.,  was  appointed 
Governor.  Newfoundland  was  then  in  a  transition 
state,  passing  from  lawlessness  into  order,  and  from 
ignorance,  arising  from  an  almost  destitution  of  schools, 
to  that  of  education  and  position  among  the  I  "ovinces 
of  the  British  Empire. 

To  promote  this  change,  Sir  Thomas  ga\  all  the 
weight  of  his  influence  and  his  constant  personal  atten- 
tion. He  completed  the  first  road  in  the  country, 
which  was  from  St.  John  to  Portugal  Cove,  and  the 
second,  from  Harbor  Grace  to  Carbonear.  He  sailed 
along  the  shores,  entered  many  of  the  harbors,  and 
conversed  with  all  sorts  of  people  on  the  affairs  of  the 
island.  He  travelled  miles  in  the  country,  through  its 
bushes  and  bogs,  to  form  for  himself  a  judgment  of  its 
soil  ;  and  he  sent  circulars  into  all  the  out-harbors  to 
get  the  opinion  of  the  people  in  reference  to  a  Colonial 
Parliament.  His  most  decided  opinion  was,  that  much 
of  its  soil  was  capable  of  a  high  state  of  cultivation ; 
that  it  had  come  to  a  state  when  it  ought  to  have  a 
local  legislature  ;  that  such  a  constitution  would  be 
greatly  for  the  benefit  of  the  people  ;  and  that  it  ouglit 
at  once  to  be  granted  by  the  Imperial  Government. 


The  opinion 
held  up  to  ri 
in  oppositioi 
both  in  the  ( 
written  in  o 
"A  Poole  M 

"  That  the  ( 
and  is  confirui 
iate  as  the  begi 
frost  was  so  int 
dening  could  i 
in  December,  i 
mometer  often 

This  writ( 
American  wi 
of  the  soiL 
Prince  Edw 
in  Decembe: 
at  about  15° 
30°  below. 
so  that  *'  d( 
before  the  r 
seen  the  bea 
the  producti 
rich  uplands 
mate  is  unco 

Sir  Thom 
His  Majesty 
Constitution 
January,  18! 
ment  was  op 

In  a  very 
came  apparei 
in  the  vicini 


FIRST   PARLIAMENT. 


93 


The  opinion  of  Sir  Thomas  was  severely  criticised  and 
held  up  to  ridicule ;  and  pamphlets,  both  in  defence  and 
in  opposition  to  his  judgment,  issued  from  the  press, 
both  in  the  colony  and  in  England.  From  a  pamphlet 
written  in  opposition,  by  a  wfiter  who  called  himself 
"A  Poole  Merchant,"  we  make  the  following  extract : — 

"  That  the  climate  is  uncongenial  to  cultivation  is  well  known, 
and  is  confirmed  by  the  fact,  that  in  this  present  year  (1828),  so 
late  as  the  beginning  of  May,  the  snow  laid  on  the  ground,  and  the 
frost  was  so  intense,  that  the  common  operations  of  domestic  gar- 
dening could  not  be  commenced.  The  winter  commenced  early 
in  December,  and  the  frost  was  intense  and  continued,  the  ther- 
mometer often  standing  at  15°  below  zero." 

This  writer  showed  his  utter  ignorance  of  a  North- 
American  winter,  and  its  influence  upon  the  cultivation 
of  the  soiL  In  Nova  Scotia,  New  Brunswick,  and 
Prince  Edward  Island,  the  winter  usually  commences 
in  December :  the  thermometer  often  stands  for  weeks 
at  about  15°  below  zero,  and  sometimes  falls  more  than 
80°  below.  The  snow  also  continu-^s  on  the  ground, 
so  that  *'  domestic  gardening  "  is  rarely  commenced 
before  the  month  of  May.  Yet  who  that  has  ever 
seen  the  beautiful  corn-fields  of  Prince  Edward  Island, 
the  productive  orchards  of  Annapolis  Valley,  or  the 
rich  uplands  on  the  St.  John's  River,  will  say  the  cli- 
mate is  uncongenial  for  cultivation  ? 

Sir  Thomas  was  successful ;  for,  in  the  year  1832, 
His  Majesty  William  IV.  granted  a  Representative 
Constitution  to  Newfoundland ;  and  on  the  1st  day  of 
January,  1833,  the  first  session  of  the  Colonial  Parlia- 
ment was  opened  by  Sir  Thomas  Cochrane  in  person. 

In  a  very  few  years,  the  benefit  of  this  measure  be- 
came apparent.  At  the  time  of  its  colonization,  except 
in  the  vicinity  of  St.  Johns,  scarcely  a  house,  a  gar- 


94 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


■J 


den,  or  a  potato-field,  was  to  be  seen  one  mile  from  the 
shore.  Now,  good  roads  were  opened  in  various  direc- 
tions ;  the  land  was  cultivated ;  carriages  of  every  form 
rolled  along  the  roads  in  the  summer,  and  the  jingle  of 
the  sleigh-bells  was  heard  in  winter.  Education  was 
promoted ;  the  arts  and  sciences  were  encouraged ; 
temperance  societies  and  other  philanthropic  institu- 
tions were  organized.  In  fact,  all  those  adjuncts  to 
civilized  life  were  introduced,  which  are  calculated  to 
elevate  the  mind,  and  make  the  inhabitants  of  New- 
foundland an  intelligent  and  an  enlightened  people. 

In  1840,  on  the  5th  of  November,  the  town  of  St. 
Johns  was  enlivened  by  the  appearance  of  the  first 
steamer  that  ever  visited  her  harbor.  It  was  H.  M. 
Steamer  Spitfire^  which  had  come  with  a  detachment  of 
men  for  the  Royal  Veteran  Companies.  The  sight  was 
novel,  and  many  persons  went  on  board  to  examine 
the  machinery. 

In  the  same  year,  a  company  was  incorporated  by 
the  Newfoundland  Legislature,  to  run  a  steamboat 
between  Halifax  and  St.  Johns,  toward  the  expenses 
of  which,  the  Nova  Scotia  Legislature  granted  <£500 
per  annum  for  three  years. 

Before  the  measure  contemplated  by  this  company 
was  carried  into  effect,  a  second  steamer  came  upon 
the  coast.  It  was  the  John  McAdam,  which  had  pre- 
viously been  employed  between  Cork  and  Liverpool, 
and  was  now  offered  for  sale.  She  arrived  at  St. 
Johns  on  the  4th  of  August,  1842. 

Two  or  three  days  after  her  arrival,  she  made  a  trip 
to  the  north,  with  about  fifty  ladies  and  gentlemen  on 
board.  She  passed  Cape  St.  Francis,  ran  up  the  south 
.«»hore  of  Conception  Bay  nearly  to  Portugal  Cove,  then 
round  the  western  end  of  Belle  Isle  to  Brigus,  in  the 


•  r 


\aSIT    or    PRINCE    OF    WALES. 


95 


Iiarbor,  of  which  she  made  a  sweep,  and  stopped  her 
engines  a  few  miniUes,  so  as  to  gratify  tlie  curiosity  of 
the  people.     She  then  proceeded  to  Tort  De  Grave, 
and  made  a  similar  sweep.     She  passed  next  to  Car- 
bonear,  and,  leaving  that  harbor,  she  entered  the  port 
of  Harbor  Grace,  where  she  remained  for  the  night. 
Very  early  the  next  morning,  she  weighed  anchor, 
and,  proceeding  down  the  north  shore,  she  passed  be- 
tween the  Island  of  Bacalieu  and  the  main  land  ;  then 
crossed  the  spacious  Bay  of  Trinity,  and  entered  the 
beautiful  and  picturesque  Harbor  of  Trinity,  where  she 
remained  for  a  time,  then  returned  to  St.  Johns.    This 
was  the  first  opportunity  the  people  of  Newfoundland 
ever  had  of  making  a  steamboat  trip  on  their  own  shores. 
The  first   royal    mail-steamer    ever    employed    in 
Newfoundland  was   the  North  America,  Captain   R. 
Meagher.     She  arrived  in  St.  Johns  at  eight  o'clock 
on  Monday  morning,  April   22d,  1844 ;  since  which 
time  steamboat  communication  has  been  regular  be- 
tween that  harbor  and  Halifax. 

In  the  year  1860,  on  the  occasion  of  the  visit  of  His 
Royal  Highness,  the  Prince  of  Wale?,,  to  America,  his 
first  landing  was  at  St.  Johns,  on  the  morning  of  July 
4th.        The  city  was  handsomely  decorated  with  tri- 
umphal arches,  flags,  and   evergreens,  and  the  mul- 
titude was  so  great,  that   it  seemed  as  if  the  whole 
population  of  the  island  had  gathered  in  that  city  to  wel- 
come their  future  king.     Amidst  the  thunder  of  can- 
non,  the  ringing  of  bells,  and  the  cheers  of  thousands. 
His  Royal  Highness  was  received  by  Governor  Ban- 
nerman,  and  a  guard  of  honor,  formed  by  the  Newfound- 
land corps,  and  escorted  to  Government  House  by  a 
long  and  splendid  procession.     After  the  presentation 
of  addresses  by  different  bodies,  the  Prince  held  a  levee, 


.iiippil 


96 


NEWFOUNDLAND  AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


4 


at  which  were  introduced  to  His  Royal  Highness  the 
principal  gentlemen  of  the  island.  He  then  reviewed 
the  Royal  Newfoundland  and  Volunteer  corps,  visited 
Wateiford  Bridge,  Topsail  Rood,  and  other  points  af- 
fording good  views,  and  returned  to  a  state  dinner.  In 
the  evening,  the  city  was  brilliantly  illuminated,  and 
there  was  a  fine  display  of  fireworks.  The  next  day,  a 
noble  Newfoundland  dog  was  presented  to  the  Prince, 
by  Chief  Justice  Sir  Francis  Brady,  on  behalf  of  the 
people  of  the  colony.  The  Prince  accepted  the  dog, 
and  called  him  Calot^  after  the  discoverer  of  the  island. 
After  a  short  visit,  His  Royal  Highness  embarked  for 
the  continent  amidst  the  renewed  cheers  of  the  loyal 
and  noble-hearted  people  of  Newfoundland. 

We  shall  here  close  our  historical  sketch,  and  pre- 
sent the  reader  with  the  following  statistics.  * 

A  Table  showing   the   Civil  Divisions,  Population,  and    Repre- 
sentatives  for  each  District. 


1857. 


Names  of  Districts. 


No.  of 
Inhabitauts. 


St.  Johns,  East         ,        ,        . 
St.  Johns,  West    . 
Harbor  Main,  Conception  Bay 
Port-de-Grave,  *'  " 

Harbor  Grace,  "  " 

Carbonear,  "  " 

Bay-de-Verds,  "  <» 

Trinity  Bay  .... 
Bonavista .        .        .        . 
Twillingate  and  Fogo   . 
Ferryland         .... 
Placentia  and  St.  Mary's 

Burin 

Fortune  Bay 
Burgeo  and  La  Poile 

Total . 


17,352 

13,124 
6,386 
6,489 

10,067 
6,233 
6,220 

10,736 
8,850 
9,717 
6,228 
8,334 
5,529 
3,492 
3,545 


No.  of  Rep- 
reseatatiTes. 


119^304 


3 
3 
2 
1 

1 
1 
S 
8 
2 
2 
3 
2 
1 
1 


To  the  po 
We  must 
she 

Therefore 
Of  this 


at 


Protesta 

Tot 
The  Pro 


No.  of  CI 


A  Tabular  , 


NAM] 

Academy,  Ej 
Bonavista  Cc 
Academy,  W 
Academy,  G( 

Tot. 


28 


POPULATION      .VD   SCHOOLS. 


97 


To  the  population  of  the  Elective  Districts    .        .  1 1  q  0^4 

We  mus^t^add  the  population  (British)  on  the  French 

3,334 

Therefore,  the  total  population  of  1857  was  .         "7^^ 

Of  this  population,  the  Roman  Catholics  are  estimated 


at 


Protestants  . 

•        •        •        • 

Total 

The  Protestants  are  thus  divided  :  — 
Episcopalians 
Wesleyans 
Presbyterians 

Congregationalists     . 
Baptists 

Total  . 

No.  of  Clergymen : 

Roman  Catholics 

Episcopal 

Wesleyan 

Presbyterian. 

Congregational . 

Baptist 

Total 


55,309 
63,995 

119,304 


42,608 

20,144 

822 

844 

77 

63,995 

36 

40 

22 

8 

0 

0 

101 


i?:?::iNoR^rn^fRel^^  f^^^ ^^^  j,^^^^^ 


Shore 


A  Tabular  Statement  of  Academical  Instit 
land. 


utions  in  Newfound- 


NAME. 


Academy,  Epis'palian 
Bonavista  Coll.,  R.  C. 
Academy,  Wesleyan 
Academy,  Gen.  Prot 

Total.    .    , 


Situation. 


St.  Johns 


No.  of 
Profrs. 


2 
4 
2 
1 


No.  of  Government 
Studts.         aid. 


44 

79 
69 
30 


$2,000 

4,384 

1,000 

750 


Voluntary 
aid. 


222 


8,134 


$21 

2,748 

500 

750 


4,019 


V 


98 


NEWFOUNDIiAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


In  the  year  1857  there  were  two  hundred  and  fifty- 
seven  Day  Schools,- as  shown  m  the  following  table: — 


Tabular  View  of  Protestant  Day  Schools  in  1861. 


Denomination. 

No.  of  Schools. 

Pupils. 

Cost. 

Church  of  England    . 

2 

108 

Wesleyan       '.        .        .        , 

8 

693 

Presbyterian      .        .        .        . 

1 

61 

OTHER    SCHOOLS. 

Colonial  Church  Society         . 

24 

2524 

Elementary  Schools  . 

108 

4968 

Commercial  Schools 

4 

1.59 

Total   .        .        .        * 

147 

8413 

$26,500 

Catholic  Schools  in  1861. 


■ 

No.  of  Schools. 

Pupils. 

Cost. 

Commercial  Schools  . 
Convent  Schools     . 
Elementary       .        .        .        . 

7 
10 
93 

1360 

• 

110 

5028 

$20,495 

Thus  the  total  number  of  schools  in  the  island,  in 
1861,  was  257  ;  of  pupils,  13,441 ;  and  the  total  cost, 
$46,995. 

The  teachers'  salaries  vary  from  twenty  to  sixty 
pounds  sterling ;  and  are  made  up  partly  by  govern- 
ment and  partly  by  school  fees. 

The  government  contributes  one-half  the  cost  of 
erecting  school-houses. 

There  are  in  the  Province  forty-one  school-districts, 
twenty-five  of  which  are  under  a  Protestant  Board  of 


FISHERIES. 


99 


Education  and  Inspection,  atid  sixte/)n  under  the  con- 
trol of  a  Catliolic  Board  and  a  Catholic  Inspection. 
I  he  government  appropriates  annually  £400  toward 
the  training  of  Protestant  teachers,  who  may  be  trained 
m  either  of  the  Protestant  Academies;  and  £350  for 
Catholic  teachers,  who  are  trained  in  the  Catholic  Col- 
lege. 

TPIE  FISHERIES. 
The  Hsheries  of  Newfoundland  are  known  as  the 
'  bank-fishery,"  and  the  "  shore-fishery." 

THE   BANK-FISHERY. 

This  is  carried  on  in  large  vessels  on  the  Banks  of 
Newfoundland,  a  vast  submarine  elevation,  lying  in  the 
Atlantic   Ocean,  and  between  five  and   six  hundred 
mi  es  m  length,  with  a  breadth  of  about  two  hundred 
miles      In  the  year  1775,  about  four  hundred  sail  of 
vessels,  of  from  eighty  to  one  hundred  and  forty  tons 
burthen,  were  engaged  in  the  bank-fishery,  of  which 
about  one  hundred  and  forty  were  fitted  out  from  St 
Johns,  and  the  remainder  from  various    out-harbors. 
Ihese  employed  from  eight  to  ten  thousand  fishermen 
and  shoremen.     This  fishery  is  now  almost  abandonee' 
by  the  British,  but  is  carried  on  with  great  vigor  by  the 
French  and  Americans,  who  together  are  said  to  em- 
ploy one  thousand  vessels,  with  some  thirty  thousand 
men. 

SHORE-FISHERY. 

This  is  now  the  fishery  in  Newfoundland;  it  is  carried 
on  in  small  craft,  as  skiffs,  jacks,  punts,  and  gallop- 
ers, who  fish  near  tho  shore. 

In  1857,  the  number  of  boats  employed  was  eleven 
thousand  six  hundred  and  eighty-three  ;*  the  number  of 
nets  and  seines,  two  thousand  three  hundred  and  fifty- 
tour  ;  the  number  of  men,  twenty-four  thousand. 


i 


100         NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


We  shall  now  present  two  tables  :  the  first  will  show 
the  quantity  and  value  of  codfish  exported  each  year, 
for  ten  years ;  the  second  table  will  show  the  quantity 
and  value  of  all  kinds  of  produce  exported,  each  year, 
for  four  years. 

A  Tabular  Statement  of  the  Quantity  and  Value  of  Codfish  ex- 
ported from  Newfoundland  each  year,  for  ten  years. 


Years. 

Quintals. 

Value  in  Dollars. 

1863 

922,718 

2,805,500 

1854 

774,118 

2,589,090 

1855 

1,107,388 

8,400,415 

1856 

1,268,334 

3,945,620 

1857 

1,392,322 

6,030,645 

1858 

1,038,089 

3,825,505          * 

1859 

1,105,793 

4,474,830 

1860 

1,138,544 

4,231,190 

1861 

1,021,720 

3,341,315 

1862 

1,074,289 

3,760,010 

Tabular  Statement  of  all  kinds  of  Produce  exported  from  Newfound- 
land each  year,  for  four  years,  with  the  total  Value  in  British  ster- 
ling. 


Produce. 


Codfish,  dried,  quintals, 

"        pickled,  tubs 
Salmon,  tierces, .  . 
Herring,  barrels,   . 
No.  of  Seal  Skins, . 
No.  of  Furs,  .... 
Seal  and  Cod  Oil,  tuns, 
Other  Oils,  gallons, .  . 
Total  value.  £,  .   .  .   . 


1836 


Yeaes. 
1845  1858 


1861 


860,354 


1,847 

1,534 

384,321 

2,959 


41,872 
807,829 


1,000,233 

442 

8,645 

20,903 

352,702 

2,037 

8,408 

907,112 


1,058,059 

1,688 

2,726 

82,155 

507,626 

2,004 

323,241 
1,280,343 


1,021,720 

cwt.  372 

2,924 

64,377 

875,282 

3,886 

8,375 

tuns     23 

1,269,546 


In  the 
island,  tl 
cost  88,0 

The  ii 

$5,858,6 
$823,205 
nage,  87, 

The  m 
are  likelv 

The  re 
ture,  |69( 


There 
notes  in  1 
cial  Bank, 
in  1860,  a 
$671,792. 

It  has 

with  its  c 

bors,  and  ] 

pitable  ish 

Such  misi 

from   shee 

sought  the 

evident  thj 

high  state 

haustible  si 

erals  are  li 

European  i 

tains,  or  ii 

inhabitants 

respectful  ; 

could  be  su 


BANKS. 


101 


I 


In  the  year  1862,  there  were  2G  vessels  built  on  the 

^^^r^fiTr'')^'!;  .^^^u  r^^  ^^'035,410;    exports, 

f  »^d,^05.     Number  of  vessels  employed,  1,386  •  ton- 
nage, 87,030.  ' 

The  mines  and  minerals,  just  now  coming  into  notice, 
are  likely  to  increase  the  exports. 

The  revenue  of  1862  was  $581,638 ;  the  expendi- 
ture, $690,290.     The  public  debt  is  stated  at  $720,000. 

BANKS. 

There  are  three  banks :  the  Union  Bank  circulated 
notes  m  1861  to  the  extent  of  $472,520;  the  Coinmer- 
cia  Bank,  |213,628.     The  assets  of  the  Savings  Bank, 

*"if,n.r""°'"'' '"  '*^**'^*'^ '  ""<•  't^  ''"Mities  were 

$671,792. 

It  has  been  customary  to  speak  of  Newfoundland, 
with  Its  commanding  position,  its  numerous  fine  har- 
bors, and  Its  salubrious  climate,  as  a  barren  and  inhos- 
pitable island,  totally  unfit  for  the  habitation  of  man 
buch  misrepresentations  could  only  have  been  made 
from   sheer  ignorance,  or   by  interested   parties,  who 
sought  the  monopoly  of  the  entire  trade.     It  is  now 
evident  that  many  parts  of  the  island  are  camble  of  a 
high  state  of  cultivation;  and  its  fisheries  a  e  an  inex- 
haustible source  of  wealth ;  while  its  mines  and  its  min- 
erals are  likely  soon  to  attract  at  least  a  portion  of  the 
Ji^uropean  immigfants,  to  seek  their  j>ile  upon  the  moun- 
tains, or  in  the  dells  of  its  rock-bound  shores.     The 
mhabitants  have  always  been  loyal,  brave,  kind,  and 
respectful ;  and,  if  the  charge  of  ignorance  or  rudeness 
could  be  sustained,  it  was  because  they  had  been  nee- 

*  9*  ° 


fl 


102         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    IT3   MISSIONARIES. 

lected,  misgoverned  and  oppressed.  A  brighter  day 
is  dawning ;  and  that  land  will  yet  rise  in  wealth,  intel- 
ligence, and  influence,  equal  to  any  of  her  sister  Prov- 
inces in  the  Western  hemisphere. 


END     OF    PART    I, 


OR,  THE  B 
HUNDRE] 
WITH  Bl 
WESLEY^i 
LABOREI 


PART   11. 


THE   CENTENARY; 


OR,  THE  HISTORY  OF  WE8LEYAN  METHODISM  DURING  THE 
HUNDRED  YEARS  OF  i£TS  EXISTENCE  IN  NEWFOUNDLAND ; 
WITH  BIOGRAPHICAL  SKETCHES  OF  ALL  THE  DECEASED 
WE8LEYAN  MISSIONARIES  AND  MINISTERS  WHO  HAVE 
LABORED  IN   THAT   COUNTRY. 


(103) 


STATE  OF 
ISM- 

ferb: 

Tun 
in] 

it  is,  the 

ence,  ar 

by  the  '^ 

Thei 

the  first 

sense  pi 

general  ( 

Head  of 

The  r 

on  the  ( 

dense  clc 

system  h 

latter  co 

commenc 

ence  of 

monarch^ 

protestan 

liturgy ; 

own  lang 

Christian 

sentersfrc 

according 


CHAPTER  I. 

STAT.  OF  BELIOIOH  I»  KNOI,*™  -  MOUSH  OLEROT  _  «„.  OF  METnnn 

rpHIS  year,  1865,  is  the  centenary  year  of  Methodism 
X.  in  Newfoundland.  It  was  introduced  there  in  1765  • 
It  IS,  therefore,  now  in  the  hundredth  year  of  its  exist-' 
ence  and  was  the  first  mission  grom.d  ever  occupied 
by  the  Wesleyan  Church. 

.^.  ^«  \"r,f  Yf^^^  Methodism  in  Englauu,  during 
the  first  half  of  the  last  century,  was  in  a  pre-eminent 
sense  providential,  and  showed,  in  all  its  outlines  and 
general  operations,  the  constant  presence  of  the  Great 
Head  of  the  Christian  Church. 

The  reformation  from  Popery  had  done  much,  both 
on  the  Continent  and  in  England,  to  dissipate  those 
dense  clouds  of  moral  darkness  with  which  that  corrupt 
system  had  cast  all  Europe  in  a  deep  gloom ;  and  in  the 
latter  country,  in  the  eighteenth  century,  at  its  very 
commencement,  it  had  nearly  annihilated  all  the  influ- 
ence of  Romanism;   it  had  established  a  Protestant 
monarchy  on  the  throne;    it  had  formed  a  national- 
protestant   church,  with   a  most  admirable  scriptural 
I'turgy ;  it  hod  given  the  Bible  to  the  people  in  their 
own  language;  it  had  required  the  observance  of  the 
Christen  Sabbath  bylaw;  it  had  recently  tolerated  dis- 
senters from  the  established  church,  who  worshipped  God 
according  to  the  dictates  of  their  own  conscience;  and 

(105) 


106 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


while  the  astronomical  "and  other  discoveries  of  Sir  Isaac 
Newton  had  filled  the  world  with  astonishment,  philol- 
ogy, philosophy,  and  hellea  lettres  were  cultivated  to  an 
extent  that  caused  that  period  to  be  distinguished  as 
the  "  Augustan   age   of  English   literature. '      Giant 
minds  and  champions  for  the  truth  lived  in  those  days  ; 
and  among  them  we  might  name  Archbishop  Seeker, 
Bishops  Burnet,  Gibson,  Butler,  and  a  little  later,  that 
great  expositor  of  Scripture  prophecy,  Bishop  Newton ; 
also  Dean  Prideaux,  Dr.  John  Guyse,  Dr.  Isaac  Watts, 
Rev.  John  Hurrion,  Rev.  Abraham  Taylor,  and  many 
others,  who  faithfully  preached  the  gosj)el  in  their  sever- 
al pulpits,  and  fearlessly  assailed  the  carelessness,  the 
infidelity,  and  the  licentiousness  of  the  age.     But  Eng- 
land was  not  evangelized :  far  from  it.     Infidel  books 
were  extensively  circulated,  and  infidel  principles  were 
entertained  by  masses  of  the  British  people ;  the  wicked 
and  blasphemous  writings  of  Hobbes,  Toland,  Blount, 
Collins,  Mandeville,  Tindal,  Morgan,  Woolston,  Chubb, 
and  a  little  later  appeared  among  the  foes  of  Christianity, 
that  keen  philosopher  and  eloquent  writer,  Lord  Bol- 
ingbroke ;  and  the  moral  poison  these  men  scattered 
abroad  had  effected  the  minds  of  the  upper  classes  of 
society  to  a  great  extent.   Within  the  pale  of  the  church, 
and  acknowledged  as  its  ministers,  were  Dean  Swift  and 
Lawrence  Sterne,  whose  writings,  so  full  of  burlesque, 
ribaldry,  and  licentious  humor,  tended  fearfully  to  cor- 
'rupt  the  morals  of  the  nation.     Deadly  heresy  was  also 
tolerated  in  the  pulpits  of  the  establishment.     The  very 
learned  Dr.  Samuel  Clarke,  rector  of  St.  James,  West- 
minster, was  a  decided  Arian,  and  so  was  the  erudite 
William  Whiston  ;  and  Bishop  Hoadley  is  said  to  have 
given  up  all  that  is  peculiar  to  Christianity,  in  compli- 
ment to  the  Deists,  and  to  have  espoused  substantially 


the  Soc 

his  offic 

pulpit  ( 

faith," 

ignoran 

structioi 

not  thei 

a  living' 

in  the  c 

almost  a 

tlieir  roi] 

such  uns 

ity  and  c 

look  for  1 

iaity;  h( 

churchm( 

monies  ei 

yet  gross 

moral  an( 

fashion  h 

literally  v 

well ;    "  ] 

Lichfield 
thought  tl 
That  W( 
will  admit 
ments,  ma 
ops  m  the 
The  firs 
Gilbert  Bu 
toral  Care,' 
edition  of 


MORAL  DEPRAVITY  IN  ENGLAND.       107 

Sot?"",  '"T'  "'"■'  "'  *^  ^""^  ""«  •>«  retained 
his  office  and  preferment.     Little  was  heard  from  the 

laith,     or  gospel  holmess.     Ma„,  of  the  clergy  were 

.gnorant  of  the  Scriptures,  and  setmed  to  think^hH^! 

tnic  ,on  of  the  people  in  the  truths  of  Christianity  was 

not  the,r  work  ;  that  they  held  their  position  merely  as 

m  the  chase  at  the  card-table,  at  the  ball-room,  or  in 
almost  any  otJier  way,  providing  they  could  go  through 
thejr  round  of  official  duties  on  the  Sabbath  day.    WHh 

ity  and"„r""'  '"?'"«  '°  *^  P"'""^'  ™<=''  f--'" 
y  and  often  .mmomhty  in   the  clergy,  it  were  vain  to 

ook  for  true  rehg,ous  feeling,  to  any  extent,  among  the 

dmrc  men,  and  attended  to  all  the  services  and  cere- 
monies enjomed  m  the  Book  of  Common  Prayer,  were 
yet  grossly  ,g„orant  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,^andTm 
moral  and  v.cous  in  the  extreme.     Men  of  rank  a"d 
faslnon  ,a„ghed  at  religion,  and  the  common  people 

Lcl  fi  . ,     T"'"'"""  ^'^'"  ""  "">  *''^««  people  in 

thotS  .,"     '"  ^?  '''•""''  '''^  "'«'"'  -<•  --e  °ot 
tliought  the  worse  for  it."  ^ 

wiJi'lT  T  r  ""'  "J"*''^"  ""^  P''='"e,  the  reader 
willadmit    If  he  carefully  peruses  the  following  state- 

opsttreen';  /""""'  '^'''''"^"'  ^--"'^ 

ops  n  the  estab hshment,  who  lived  in  those  times. 

1  he  first  evidence  we  shall  give  is  from  a  work  by 
Gilbert  Burnet,  Bishop  of  Salisbury,  called  "  The  pZ 

edifon  of  which  was  issued  in  1713.     I„  the  preface 


*  Boswell's  Johnson,  vi.  p.  840. 


108         NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


to  this  edition,  Bishop  Burnet  gives  the  following  de- 
scription of  the  clergy  of  his  own  diocese :  — 

"  I  am  now  in  the  seventieth  year  of  my  age,  and,  as  I  cannot 
speal^  long  in  the  world  in  any  sort,  so  I  cannot  hope  for  a  more 
solemn  occasion  than  this  of  speaking  with  all  due  freedom,  both 
to  the  present  and  to  the  succeeding  ages.  Therefore  I  lay  hold 
on  it  to  give  free  vent  to  those  sad  thoughts  that  lie  on  my  mind 
both  day  and  night,  and  are  the  subject  of  many  secret  mournings. 
I  dare  appeal  to  that  God,  to  whom  the  secrets  of  my  heart  are 
known,  and  to  whom  I  am  shortly  to  give  an  account  of  my  min- 
istry, that  I  have  the  true  interests  of  this  church  ever  before  my 
eyes,  and  that  I  pursue  them  with  a  sincere  and  fervent  zeal. 

"  If  I  am  mistaken  in  the  methods  I  follow,  God,  to  whom  the 
integrity  of  my  heart  is  known,  will  not  lay  that  to  my  charge. 

"  I  cannot  look  on  without  the  deepest  concern,  when  I  see  im- 
minent ruin  hanging  over  this  church,  and  by  consequence,  over  the 
whole  Reformation.  The  outward  state  of  things  is  black  enough, 
God  knows ;  but  that  which  heightens  my  fears  rises  chiefly  from 
the  inward  state  into  which  we  are  unhappily  fallen.  I  will  confine 
myself  to  the  clergy. 

"  Our  Ember  weeks  are  the  burden  and  grief  of  my  life.  The 
much  greater  part  of  those  who  come  to  be  ordained  are  ignorant, 
to  a  degree  not  to  be  apprehended  by  those  who  are  not  obliged 
to  know  it.  The  easiest  part  of  knowledge  is  that  to  which  they 
are  the  greatest  strangers :  I  mean  the  plainest  part  of  the  Scrip- 
tures, which,  they  say  in  excuse  for  their  ignorance,  that  their  Tu- 
tors in  the  Universities  never  mention  the  reading  of  to  them ;  so 
that  they  can  give  no  account,  or  at  least  a  very  imperfect  one,  of 
the  contents  even  of  the  Gospels.  Those  who  have  read  some 
few  books,  yet  never  seem  to  have  read  the  Scriptures.  Many  can- 
not give  a  tolerable  account  even  of  the  Catechism  itself,  how 
short  and  plain  soever.  They  cry,  and  think  it  a  sad  disgrace  to 
be  denied  orders,  though  the  ignorance  of  some  is  such  that,  in  a 
well-regulated  state  of  things,  they  would  appear  not  knowing 
enough  to  he  admitted  to  the  holy  sacrament. 

"  This  does  often  tear  my  heart.  The  case  is  not  much  better 
in  many  who,  having  got  into  orders,  come  for  institution,  and 
cannot  make  it  appear  that  they  have  read  the  Scriptures  or  any 
one  good  book  since  they  were  ordained  ;  so  that  the  small  meas- 
ure of  knowledge  upon  which  they  got  into  holy  ora-ii  not  being 
improved,  is  in  a  way  quite  lost ;  and  they  think  it  a  great  hard- 


ship if  tb 

of  divinit 

"  Thes 

'  Oh,  that 

and  be  al 

are  we  to 

or  in  anj 

great  con 

fundanien 

who  ough 

them  the 

"  Politic 

learning,  I 

a  true  sens 

which  the  { 

are  receive 

and  labors. 

quent,  it  is 

thinking  co 

the  bare  p( 

sures  when 

in  any  suita 

If  an  J 

tion  of  th 

or  had  de 

make  appj 

of  the  con" 

echism,"  a 

he  admitte 

ordination, 

ignorance 

selves  to  n( 

oracles  of  ( 

as  untrue  a 

the  great  a 

time,  and  v 

^e  question* 


DESCRIPTION   OF   THE    ENOUSH    CLKKGY.  109 

'  Oh,  that  I  had  Z^Zl  dove  ""f  ":f  '"'"'  °"™  ""^  "'• 
and  bo  a.  re...  wL  ^.^f  e  :'^::TV  ^^""^ 
are  we  to  deal  with  any  adversary,  Athel^  pll  „  .  ""^ 
-  m  a„y«>rt  to  p^^ote  the  ho,L  oflti    a'nd  I  "T 

great  coocerns  of  the  Bo,nel  „!.„  '      "  "*"'»'  <"■  ">« 

fundamentals  of  relilTrJ;  f-^T  '°  '^"'^'"^  '^  «>« 

who  onght  to  tele  T^,^^'Xle:!,;w"'■"'■''°"°"«''''- 
.hen.  the  fi.t  prineip.e.of  rot:,::' g:^""^  "■"""'  '-" 

.earnC::ttt^;^^rthronrz;r  ••  °-^  "t  -' 

a  true  sense  of  relicnon  wif h  .  «  ^,  ''  "'''''^  valuable, 

which  the  Son  o;G:rb;>titx;Tie7d\rrtr''"'^' 

ardrhr'o:rLrr„dr~^^^^^ 

Ouen.  it  U  truoZd  Orhe"     TnS  t'ttfr  ""'  ^'^- 
thinking  course  of  lifp  w.'tK  rf*i  '     "*  *  ""^^^s,  un- 

the  ba;  perfor^Li If  r,'  '^  !  °7°  ?P'-«°-  <»  »t„dy,  and 
«.res  whei  compla!„"ed  of  witi  ?'      """  ''°"'='  """'-^  ^^^  <=«- 

in  any  suitable  deCe  Soo  /""  """""^  ""^  ^'^^^'^^^^ 
e„ree,  is  but  too  common  as  well  as  too  evident" 

t.on  of  the  Episcopal  clergy  of  England  at  anytime 
or  had  declared  that  young  men  were  accuZert ' 
make  apphcation  for  holy  orders,  who  were"  "!„: 

elli  "f:r;'  '"^  ^"-^^^^"^-^  -  even  of  tfeTt- 
echism     and  who  appear  as  not  "  knowing  enou<.h  to 
be  admttted  to  the  holy  sacrament;"  and  ttat  after 
ordtnafon    they  continued  in  such  a  state  of  "f 
.gnorance  ,n  the  fundamentals  of  rehVion  "1  Z 

aTunlL        r^  ''''""''"'  ^""''J  be  considered 
th?:::^    "nd 'Zt-S-l-  _^'--'"^  ^f-  *e  pen  of 


be 


great  and  good  Bishop  Burnet,  who  lived 
,  and  wrote  onlv  whnf  h^  i,„,_.  ,-.     ,     ., 


time,  and 


wrote 
questioned. 


at  the 


>nly  what  he  knew,  its  truth  cannot 


10 


110 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


Of  the  morals  of  the  people  in  the  British  metropo- 
lis, at  that  time,  Bishop  Gibson,  in  his  "  Pastoral  Let- 
ters," published  in  1728,  gives  the  following  account :  — 

"  They  who  live  in  these  great  cities  (London  and  Westmin- 
ster), or  have  had  frequent  recourse  to  them,  and  have  any  con- 
cern for  religion,  must  have  observed,  to  their  great  grief,  that 
profaneness  and  impiety  are  grown  bold  and  open  ;  that  a  new  sort 
of  vice  of  a  very  horrible  nature,  and  almost  unknown  before  in 
these  parts  of  the  world,  was  springing  up  and  gaining  ground 
amongst  us,  if  it  had  not  been  checked  ijy  the  seasonable  care  of 
the  civil  administration ;  that,  in  some  late  writings,  public  stews 
have  [been  openly  vindicated,  and  public  vices  recommended  to  the 
protection  of  the  govcrnme7it,  as  public  benefits;  and  that  great 
pains  have  been  taken  to  make  men  easy  in  their  vices,  and  deliver 
them  from  the  restraints  of  conscience,  by  undermining  all  reli- 
gion, and  promoting  atheism  and  infidelity." 

Bishop  Butler,  the  learned  author  of  the  "  Analog}'-, ''^ 
in  the  advertisement  to  that  work,  published  in  1736, 
speaks  of  the  infidelity  of  his  time,  as  follows  :  — 

"  It  is  come,  I  know  not  how,  to  be  taken  for  granted  by  many 
persons,  that  Christianity  is  not  so  much  as  a  subject  of  inquiry; 
but  that  it  is  note,  at  length,  discovered  to  be  fictitious.  And,  ac- 
cordingly, they  treat  it  as  if,  in  the  present  age,  this  were  an  agreed 
point  among  all  people  of  discernment,  and  nothing  remained  but 
to  set  it.  up  as  a  principal  subject  of  mirth  and  ridicule,  as  it  were 
by  way  of  reprisals,  for  its  having  so  long  interrupted  the  pleasures 
of  the  world" 

Archbishop  Seeker,  in  1738,  wrote  the  following 
sentence : — 

"  We  cannot  be  mistaken,  that  an  open  and  professed  disregard 
to  religion  is  become,  through  a  variety  of  unhappy  causes,  the 
distinguishing  character  of  the  present  age  ;  that  this  evil  is  grown 
to  a  great  height  in  the  metropolis  of  the  nation,  is  daily  spread- 
ing through  every  part  of  it,  and,  bad  in  itself  as  any  can  be, 
must,  of  necessity,  bring  in  all  others  after  it.  Indeed,  it  hath  al- 
ready brought  in  such  dissoluteness  and  contempt  of  principle  in 
the  higher  part  of  the  world,  and  such  profligate  intemperance  and 


fearlessi 
rent  of  \ 

We 

from  tl 
name  ii 
the  chu 

"  Amo 

inquiry  r 

.  terest,'  ai 

it.     Soft 

formed,  t 

places,  th 

entering 

clension  i 

and  gene] 

lives  of  mi 

gospel  ha 

and  the  r< 

the  course 

"  Nor  i 

made  onlj 

mournful 

heart;  an( 

use  all  juj 

the  world" 

Such 
church, 
in  his  pr( 
reform  t\. 
ciousness 
delity  of 
trines  of 
jbe  the  n 
churches, 

^  Preface  t 
gion,  edition, 


STATE    OF    THE   ENGLISH    CHURCH.  HI 

fearlessness  of  committing  crimes,  in  tl.e  lorcer,  as  must,  if  this  tor^ 
rent  of  impiety  stop  not,  become  absolutely  fatal." 

We  shall  give  one  more  quotation  ;  and  it  will  be 
from  the  pen  of  an  eminent  dissenting  minister,  whose 
name  IS  known  to  every  one,  and  whose  praise  is  in  all 
the  churches.    The  writer  is  Dr.  Isaac  Watts,  1731 :  — 

"  Among  the  papers  published  last  year,  there  hath  been  some 

mqmry  made  whether  there  be  any  decay  of  the  'dissenting  in- 

.   terest,  and  what  may  be  supposed  to  have  been  the  occasion  of 

fL  1  t.'  T  u^'^"  '"^"'^'^  ^"*'  *^^'  ™^"^'''  I  h^^«  been  in- 
formed that,  whatsoever  decrease  may  have  appeared  in  some 
places,  there  have  been  sensible  advances  in  others.  And  without 
entering  mto  any  debate  about  the  particular  reasons  of  its  de- 
clension  m  any  town  whatever,  I  am  well  satisfied  that  the  great 
and  general  reason  is  the  decay  of  vital  religion  in  the  hearts  and 
/^r.*o/men,  and  the  little  success  which  the  ministrations  of  the 
gospel  have  had  of  late  for  the  conversion  of  sinners  to  holiness, 
and  the  recovery  of  them  from  the  state  of  corrupt  nature,  and 
the  course  of  this  world,  to  the  life  of  God  by  Jesus  Christ. 

JVor  IS  the  complaint  of  the  declension  of  virtue  and  piety 
made  only  by  the  Protestant  dissenters.  It  is  a  general  matter  c^ 
mournful  observation  amongst  all  that  lay  tlie  cause  of  God  to 
heart ;  and  therefore  it  cannot  be  thought  amiss  for  every  one  to 

TerlrW'-^"^  ^'''^''  '^'''*'  ^''  *^'  "'"''''^  "-^^^'"^  "'^^^^'^^  ^'' 

Such  was  the  state  of  England  and  the  Enalish 
church,  sinking  into  infidelity  and  ruin,  when  God, 
m  his  providence  and  mercy,  raised  up  the  Wesleys  to 
reform  the  nation ;  to  rescue  the  masses  from  their  vi- 
ciousness  and  moral  degradation  ;  to  confront  the  infi- 
delity of  the  times ;  and  by  preaching  the  plain  doc- 
trines of  the  New  Testament,  and  of  the  Reformation, 
be  the  means  of  diffusing  spiritual  life  through  the 
churches,  both  of  the  Establishment  and  of  the  Ortho-   ' 

»  Preface  to  An  Humble  Attempt  towards  the  Revival  of  Practical  ReU- 
gion,  edition,  1735. 


■■■■'■■     .,    "   ■  I 


112 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


dox  Dissenters.       Justification  by  faith,  regeneration, 
the  witness  of  the  spirit,  and  gospel   holiness  were  the 
great  truths  these  men  proclaimed.       They  were  not 
new  doctrines,  though  many  thought  they  were.     They 
were  precisely  what  the    apostles  preached,  what  the 
Reformers  preached,  and  are  found  in  every  article,  in 
every  homily,  and  on  every  page  of  the  English  Litur- 
gy ;  yet  such  was  the  ignorance  of  many  of  the  clergy 
that  they  closed  their  pulpits  against  those  who  preached 
these  doctrines,  denounced  them  as  heretical,  the  preach- 
ers as  heretics,  "  enemies  to  the  church,"  "  Papists  in 
disguise,"  "  rebels  to  the  government,"  and  men  whom 
they  might  malign,  ridicule,  insult,  and  persecute  at  their 
pleasure. 

But  the  common  people  *'  heard  "  them  gladly.    They 
were  first  astonished  at  what  they  heard ;  then  won- 
dered why  tliey  had  not  heard  the  same  things  from 
their  own  ministers.      They  pondered  these  doctrines 
m  their  minds ;  they  found  they  were  scriptural :  deep 
conviction  of  sin  followed  ;  and  men  in  multitudes  were 
turned  "  from  darkness  to  light,  and  from  the  power  of 
Satan  to  God."     "  In  the  latter  end  of  the  year  1739 
eight  or  ten  persons  came  "  to  Mr.  Wesley  "  in  London, 
who  appeared  to  be  deeply  convinced  of  sin,  and  ear- 
nes.tly  groaning  for  redemption.      They  desired  (as  did 
two  or  three  more  the  next  day)  that  I  would  spend 
some  time  with  them  in  prayer,  and  advise  them  how 
to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come,  which  they  saw  continu- 
ally hanging  over  their  heads.     That  we  might  have 
more  time  for  this  great  work,  I  appointed  a  day  when 
they  might  sdl  come  together,  which,  from  thencefor- 
ward, they  did  eveiy  week,  viz.,  on  Thursday  evening. 
To  these,  and  as  many  as  desired  to  join  with  them 
(for  their  number  increased  daily),  I  gave  those  advices 


from  tim 

and  we 

suited  to 

This  V 

the  worl( 

years  afti 

ism.     Tl 

Church  ( 

never  ha 

persecutir 

church. 

What  ^ 
by  men  ^ 
the  means 
This  was 
fixed  opini 
an  innova 
tian  minisl 
wise  and  C 
overcame  ' 

"  The  firs 

»  who  had  bei 

Bristol,  in   J 

horted,  and 

He  was  appc 

sence  of  the 

of  this  was  fl 

with  all  spee 

London.     Or 

turned  preac 

plied: 'John, 

not  suspect  m 

care  what  yoi 

surely  called 

been   the  frui 


h 


I.AY-rREACHINO. 


113 


fr.™  time  to  ilme  wl.ic;  .  j.ulgoj  most  nedful  for  them  • 
and  we  a  ways  concluded  our  meetings  with  prayer 
suited  to  their  several  necessities." 

This  was  the  origin  of  the  We'sleyan  societies  all  over 
the  workl.  Ihe  term  eharch  was  not  used  for  many 
years  after  to  any  association  connected  with  Method- 
ism. 1  hey  were  simply  >oeietie,  connected  with  the 
Church  of  England,  from  which  they  possibly  mi.ht 
never  have  been  separated  had  it  not  been  for  the 
persecuting  spirit  evinced  by  the  ministers  of  ,l,ac 
cliurch. 

What  was  called  "  lay-preaching,"  that  is,  preaching 
by  men  who  had  not  been  Episcopally  ordained,  was 
^e  means  of  extencKng  Methodism  in  those  early  times. 
This  was  contrary  to  Mr.  Wesley's  early  prejudices  and 
fixed  opmions  ;  and  he  at  first  set  his  face  against  such 
an  mnovation  upon  the  office  and  dignity  of  the  Chris- 
tian ministry.  But  the  force  of  circumstances,  with  the 
wise  and  Christian  counsel  of  his  most  Christian  mother, 
overcame  his  prejudices,  and  caused  him  to  submit. 

"  The  first  lay-preacher 'was  Thomas  Maxfleld,  a  youn"  nian 

B^tol,  ,„  May,  1789.    He  became  deeply  pious  jpraved  "ex 
horted,  and  expounded  the  Scriptures,  wifh'nco™  pier. 
He  was  appomted  to  assist  in  the  society  in  London,  in  the  ab 
scnce  of  the  Wesleys,  and  there  he  began  to  preach,  'comp  a  „t 
d  this  was  forwarded  ,o  Mr.  Wesley,  who  hLned  to  LoLTn 
with  all  speed,  to  stop  this  irregularity.    His  mother  then  lived  in 
London.    On  his  arrival,  he  said  to  her:  •  Thomas  Maxfield  h^ 
turned  preacher,     find.'    She  looked  attentively  at  him,  and  Z 
plied :  'John,  you  know  what  my  sentiments  have  been ;  yon  can- 
not  suspect  mo  of  favoring  readily  anything  of  this  kind    but  take 
caro  what  you  do  with  respect  to  that  young  man ;  fo    h.  T^  ' 
surely  called  of  God  ,„ preach  as  you  are!    E..ami'„e  what  IZ 
been  the  fruits  of  his  preaching,  and  hear  him  also  yourseE' 


114         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSION  ARIES. 


IIo  took  hor  mlviee,  auJ  submitted  to  what  he  bolieved  to  bo  the 
order  of  God."  » 


Soon  after,  otlier  persons  were  employed  in  the  same 
way,  as  Thomas  Richards,  Thomas  Westell,  and  John 
Nelson,  the  famous  Yorkshire  stone-mason. 

The  employment  of  lay-preachers  was  soon  sounded 
through  the  kingdom,  was  a  high  offence  agumst  high 
churchmen,  and  involved  the  Methodists  almost  every- 
where in  persecution  and  danger. 

Every  passing  event  was  taken  hold  of  that  could 
in  any  way  excite  prejudice  against  the  Methodists. 
The  Pretender  was  raising  a  rebellion  in  the  North, 
and  England  was  threatened  with  an  invasion  from 
France  and  Spain.  Reports  the  most  absurd,  and  cal- 
umnies of  all  sorts,  were  now  circulated  against  Mr. 
Wesley  and  the  Methodists.  It  was  said  they  were  in 
collusion  with  the  Pretender  ;  that  John  Wesley  had 
been  seen  with  the  Pretender,  in  France  ;  he  had  been 
taken  up  for  high-treason,  and  was  in  prison,  awaiting 
his  just  doom  ;  that  he  was  a  Jesuit,  an  agent  of  Spair, 
and  received  large  sums  from  that  country,  in  order  to 
raise  a  body  of  twenty  thousand  men  to  aid  a  Spanish 
invasion ;  that  he  was  an  Anabaptist,  a  Quaker ;  that 
he  had  been  prosecuted  for  unlawfully  selling  gin  ;  and, 
to  complete  the  whole,  it  was  said  that  John  Wesley 
had  hanged  himself,  was  dead  and  buried;  that  the 
present  man  was  not  the  genuine  John  Wesley,  but  an 
impostor. 

Outrageous  as  these  stories  were,  they  v/ere  believed ; 
and  persecution  of  Methodist  preachers  and  Methodist 
people  was   the  consequence.     Charles    Wesley   was 


actual!' 

because 

call  hoi 

In  g 

only  in 

public 

down,  a 

horrible 

furnitur 

person  \ 

for  fear 

In  W 

mob  assa 

Methodii 

glass,  lej 

houses,  I 

drawers,. 

and  strev 

One  pc 

ter;  thej 

Wearincf 

and  wom( 

several  cc 

within  a 

region  wa 

These  ( 

gentlemen 

persons  tc 

again  invi 

and  they  -^ 

the  procee 

otherwise, 


1  Moor's  Life  of  Wesley,  vol.  i.  p,  507. 


» Life  Cha 


PERSECUTWN    OF    METllODISTa  'US 

actually  mdictocl  before  tl,e  masl.strates,  i„  Yorkshire 
because,  ,n  p„  ,|ie.  ,,e  I,,.,,  ,r.y,,  ,.,,  ,„  ^o^d  "  wLld 
call  home  hia  banished  ones  "  i 

In  Staffordshire,  the  Me.hodists  were  assailed,  not 
on  y  m  the.r  assemblies,  but  in  their  homes  and  in  the 
pnbhe   streets.      I„   Dorlston,  women   were  knoc.ked 

Me  tl  t:^:j'T"^'  ''''  '^--  Tt^'  "  '- 
lo  oe  related.  Houses  were  broken  into. 

furniture  broken,  and  thrown  into  the  street;  and  one 
person  was  denied  shelter  in  his  own  father's  dwellin" 
for  fear  the  house  would  be  torn  down 

In  Wedensbury,  the  disorders  were  frightful.  The 
mob  assaulted  all  the  houses  of  those  wh-fwere  called 
Methodise.  They  broke  the  windows,  sufferi  g  „eSer 
Slass,  lead,  or  frame  to  remain.  They  entfred  the 
houses,  and  dashed  in  pieces  tables,  chaL  oh  sts-of 
drawers,,  and  shop-goods.  They  c'ut  up  Lthe;^! 
and  strewed  the  feathers  about  the  room 

One  poor  woman  was  confined  at  the  time.  No  mat- 
ter: they  pulled  away  her  bed,  and  cut  it  in  pieces 
Wearmg  apparel  and  valuables  they  took  away  me„ 
and  women  fled  for  their  lives.  The  mob  diWdedrto 
several  companies,  and  marched  from  village  to  villa<.e 
withm  a  range  of  four  or  five  miles,  until  the  wMe 
region  was  in  a  state  of  tumult. 

These  disgraceful  proceedings  were  instigated  by  the 
mtlemen  of  the  place,  who  drew  up  a  paper,  requiin  ' 
persons  to  sign -it,  importing  that 'they 'won  7ne"f 
again  mvite  a  Methodist  preacher  to  their  dweUrng 
and  they  were  assured  that  if  they  signed  that  paper 
the  proceedings  of  the  mob  should  at  ^nce  be  eheeted 
otherwise,  they  must  take  what  might  follow.     This' 


'  Life  Charle.<»  'W'paioir  ..r^i  ;  _  «*„ 


'  Journal,  1745. 


IIG 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MlSiilONARIl  8. 


I. 


the  porsecnttMl  Metliodists  rofnsod  with  iiidlnrnation,  and 
rej>lie(I:  "  W<  Im  >  .  '•  ady  lost  all  our  goods,  and 
notiiiiio;  n»  .,-can  t*  II.  ,ut  the  h^ss  of  our  lives,  which 
we  will  lose  (ajma,  rattier    han  wrong  mjr  consciences.'* 

At  Dudlev,  a  lay  preacher  was  cruelly  ahiisod,  at 
the  insfj^ation  of  the  pariah  minister^  and  would 
probably  have  been  murdered,  had  not  an  honest 
Quaker  enabU^i'I  Utr]  to  escape,  disguised  ir  his  broad- 
brimmed  hat  and  plain  coat.^ 

At  Wedensbury,  none  of  the  magistrates  were 
willing  to  protect  the  Methodists  :  on  the  contrary,  one 
of  these  functionaries  declared  that  their  treaUnent  was 
just,  and  offered  five  pounds  to  have  them  driven  out' 
of  the  town.  Another  refused  to  hear  a  Methodist 
who  came  to  take  oath  that  his  life  was  in  dancer  :  and 
a  third  delivered  a  member  of  the  society  up  to  the  mob, 
and  waving  his  hand  over  his  head,  shouted,  "  Huzza, 
bovs  I    Well  done  !     Stand  up  for  the  church." 

The  torm  raged  in  Cornwall  ;  and  in  St.  Ives  the 
chapel  was  nearly  destroyed,  Mr.  Wesley  went  there, 
and  on  arriving  at  the  house  of  one  of  the  Methodists, 
where  the  society  was  waiting  for  him,  he  was  received 
*'  with' a  loud  though  not  a  bitter  cry  ;  but  they  soon 
recovered,  and  we  poured  out  our  souls  together  in 
praises  and  thanksgiving."  As  soon  as  the  people 
w^ent  out,  they  were  saluted  with  huzzas,  stones,  and  dirt. 
Mr.  Wesley  was  surprised  at  the  Christian  meekness 
and  patience  with  which  these  converted  miners,  once 
degraded  and  violent  men  themselves,  now  endured 
persecution  ^'  for  righteousness  sake."  Some  who  had 
been  the  worst  of  the  rabble  had  become  the  most  ex- 
emplary  sufferers.     The   Methodists  of  St.  Just  had 

1  Jackson's  Li^  o^    '"'mhs  V-  esley,  chap.  ii. 


l>een  th 
'"^'i    dr 
many  o 
timiallv 
in  sin,  t< 
On  a 
of  tiie  1 
Wesley 
in  which 
the  chun 
John  ] 
sound  pi( 
extensive 
cashire,  ? 
day,  and  j 
he  was  se 
clergymai 
himself  w 
giving  tlu 
church ! " 
gave  three 
them  to  p 
touch  it  ti 
broke  the 
buildinsr. 
but  the  m 
which    the 
to  escape. 
'U'^'n,  and 
y^Hiichions 
the  street,  i 
furniture : 
persed.     Bi 
again  at  his 


PERSECUTION    OF    METHODISTS. 


117 

'.oon  tho  chief  of  ,1,o  wl„,le  ,;,u.try  f„r  huHir.  ,i^,,.t. 

:">"7 "'  tiu.  ii„„s  i„.j  w,„„„  ,„,„,         ;;■  J-^' 

mm,  to<.,me  „,„I  -  ,„ag,.irv  M,„  L„,,,  ,,,„;,.    "'" 

"tt,ciat,on    against   tlio   threatened   invasion     Mr 
Wesley  listened  to  a  sermon  in  the  Church  of  S     I 

he  was  severe  y  perseciitofl       Af  r^  •     i         ^^''P^^tta, 
eW.yman  ij. 'a  ma:t\ef;\,t:5i':t; 

It  t,r  ht^'-^V''^""':?"^  "'^-"'- "™  ""'^^ 

Cluneal  .       When  they  came  to  Nelson's  lod-in-^s   thev 
gave  three  m^s,  and  their  clerical  leader  cdedlt  to 

oucli  It  till  Nelson   had  done  preaching,  when  thev 

:"  ^Th  r  'r'"«  -"  °"^  -'-'-.i^in '; « 

omiuing.  Ihe  people  were  assailed  as  they  went  out  • 
but  he  mob  began  to  fight  one  with  tl  ottr  bV 
winch    the  preacher   ^n^l    i  •     i  '  "^ 

0  e  cape  Soon  the  minister  gathered  the  rioters 
.<Sn,„  and  ^ave  the,,  more  drink,  when  they  broke  the 

irsirtt  *\""''?^^^'  I'""^'^  "P  tl/pavtg  n 
tl.e  street,  threw  stones  into  the  house,  demolished  tlm 

« ort,  w,„n  he  hu-eu  the  town  drummer  to 


* 

118 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


i  i 


disturb  Nelson  while  preaching.  The  man,  after  beating 
his  drum  fo'*  three  quarters  of  an  hour  around  the  con- 
gregation, threw  away  the  drum,  and  stood  listening 
with  tears  running  down  his  cheeks. 

He  went  to  Epworth,  where  both  the  clerk  and  tlie 
clergyman  of  the  parish  were  drunkards.  The  former 
ran,  as  Nelson  was  preaching  in  the  open  air,  and  cried 
to  the  congregation  to  make  way,  that  he  might  reach 
the  itinerant,  and  carry  him  before  his  master,  who  was 
at  the  village  ale-house.  The  people  stood  up  for  the 
eloquent  stone-mason,  and  bade  the  clerk  go  about  his 
business.  Still  he  continued  his  interruptions,  until  a 
sturdy  man  took  him  up  and  threw  hi*^  upon  a  dung- 
hill. 

At  Birstal,  which  was  his  home,  he  was  warned  that 
he  should  be  impressed  for  the  army  if  he  did  not 
escape  immediately.  His  reply  was,  "  I  cannot  fear, 
for  God  is  on  mv  side,  and  his  word  hath  added 
strength  to  my  soul  this  day."  He  was  seized  the 
next  day,  while  preaching  at  Adwalton,  and  was 
marched  off  to  Halifax,  where  the  Birstal  vicar  was  on 
the  bench  as  one  of  the  commissioners,  who  reported 
Nelson  as  a  "  vagrant,  without  visible  means  of  living." 
He  replied,  "I  am  as  able  to  get  my  living  by  my 
hands  as  any  man  of  my  trade  in  England  is,  and  you 
know  it.''^  But  he  was  taken  to  Bradford,  and  plunged 
into  a  dungeon,  into  which  flowed  blood  and  filth  from 
a  slaughter-house  above  it,  "  so  that  it  smelt,"  he  says, 
"  like  a  pig-stye ;  but  my  soul,"  he  adds,  "  was  so  filled 
with  the  love  of  God,  that  it  was  a  paradise  to  me." 
There  was  nothing  for  him  to  sit  on,  and  his  only  bed 
was  a  heap  of  decayed  straw.  The  people  handed  him 
food,  water,  and  candles  through  a  hole  in  the  door, 
and  stood  outside  joining  hiui  in  hymns  most  of  the 


PERSECUTION   OF  METHODISTS.  Hg 

night.     He  shared   tl.eir  clmrities   with   a   miserable 

.mpr>sonme„t  in  Bradford  jail,  she  came°to  see  him 
She  had  two  young  children  to  provide  for,  and  Z„ 
expected  another.  Addressing  him  through  the  ,o"e 
m  the  door  "Fear  not."  she  said,  "the  cans 
God  s  f„  whjch  you  are  here,  and  he  will  pl„ad  it  him- 
self. Therefore,  be  not  concerned  about  me  and  the 
eh.ldre„,  for  he  that  feeds  the  young  ravens  will  be 
mn,dful  of  us.     He  will  give  you  s^-ength  for  your 

what  IS  lacking  m  our  souls,  and  bring  us  where  the 
wicked  cease  from  troubling  and  where  the  wea  v 
are  at   rest."     "I   cannot  fear,"   he  responded;   "I 

r:f^:;:f„rr"''-^'-»'-«^^^«nathe 

Nelson  was  compelled  to  go  into  the  ranks  as  a  sol- 
dier a„d,  ,ft         g.^^.,„  .^  ^^^^^^  ^^ 

:;S;H:Si:r->--^  '••-="'-''«  influence 

r.tf  "•'/'•?  P'^'^'^""""  of  Methodism  in  no  way 
retarded  its  progress :  it  was  the  work  of  the  Lord 
a»d  It  prospered  against  all  opposition.  Many  thou- 
sands were  converted  from  the  error  of  their'^w  ys . 
many  societies  were  formed  in  different  parts  of  (he 
■ngdom;  and  many  who  had  once  been  its  oppose      " 

P  im    ve  Christianity.     "So  mightily  grew  the  word 
ot  trod,  and  prevailed."  » 


^  Se„  llistov  of  Me.h„di™,  b;.  Abel  Steven,,  LL.D.,  book  ii.  eh.p.  vl. 


120 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


If 


On  Monday,  June  25th,  1744,  the  first  Methodist 
conference  met  at  the  Foundry,  in  Moorfields,  London. 
This  place  was  called  the  Foundry,  because  it  had 
been  used  by  the  government  for  founding  cannon. 
The  building  had  been  repaired,  and  altered  into  a 
place  of  worship,  and  was  the  first  Methodist  chapel  in 
England.  Its  site  was  only  a  short  distance  from  City 
Road  Chapel,  the  present  head -quarters  of  Methodism. 

The  first  conference  consisted  only  of  clergymen 
who  had  been  especially  ordained,  and  were  six  in 
number.  Jackson  says,  in  his  life  of  Charles  Wesley, 
vol.  i.  p.  387  :  "  No  layman  was  present  in  that  as- 
sembly."^ The  six  clergymen  were,  John  Wesley, 
Charles  Wesley  ;  John  Hodges,  Rector  of  Wenro  ; 
Henry  Piers,  Vicar  of  Bexley  ;  Samuel  Taylor,  Vidar 
of  Quinton  ;  and  John  Meriton. 

Mr.  Hodges  was  the  Rector  of  Wenro,  in  South 
Wales,  whose  heart  and  house  were  always  open  to  re- 
ceive the  Wesleys,  when  they  visited  the  Principality. 
Mr.  Piers,  Vicar  of  Bexley,  and  his  wife,  were  both 
brought  to  the  linowledge  of  the  truth  by  the  instru- 
mentality of  Charles  Wesley.  Mr.  Samuel  Taylor, 
Vicar  of  Quinton,  near  Evesham,  in  Worcestershire,  is 
said  to  have  been  a  descendant  of  the  celebrated 
Rowland  Taylor,  who  was  burned  alive  for  his 
Protestantism,  in  the  reign  of  Queen  Mary.  Of  Mr. 
John  Meriton  little  is  known,  only  he  is  spoken  of  as 
"  a  clergyman  from  the  Isle  of  Man." 

1  Dr.  Stevens  thinks  this  is  an  error,  because  a  pamphlet  has  been 
found  by  Rev.  J.  Ilargreaves,  entitled  the  "  Disciplinary  Minutes," 
which  gives  information  not  found  in  regular  minutes  of  conference. 
It,  however,  is  a  fact,  that  all  the  official  records  only  name  six  clergy- 
mm  as  connected  with  the  first  conference.  Dr.  Stevens  thinks  that 
Maxfield,  Thomas  Richards^  John  Bennet,  and  John  Downes.  were 
also  present. 


'  if.i  ' 


FIBST  CONFERENCE.  Jgl 

This  conference  sat  five  days,  during  which  time  the 
dcct nnes  of  Methodism  were  thoroughly  examined  by 
the  test  of  Holy  Scriptures  ;  and  a  basis  laid  down^ 
upon  wh,ch  .ts  whole  disciplinary  superstructure  ha^ 
Since  been  raised. 

fj^^  'i"w ''?"''  "*■  °"'^  '■'^  ""^'  ^^'  the  nucleus  of 
the  great  Wesleyan  Church,  which  since,  and  in  the 
space  of  a  century  and  a  quarter,  has  spread,  not  only 
through  every  part  of  the  British  Empire,  but  on  the 
Continent  of  America,  where  it  wields  a  mighty 
mfluence:  ,ts  missionaries  are  in  all  lands,  and  its  ad^ 

wrought"'  ""    "'  '^  '"'"""^-     "  ^''^'  "-"h  God 

"  Saw  ye  not  the  cloud  arise. 
Little  as  a  human  hand  ? 
Now  it  spreads  along  the  skies, 
Hangs  o'er  all  the  thirsty  land/* 
11 


CHAPTER    II. 


SUCCESS  OF  METHODISM  —  IRELAND  —  LAWRENCE  COUGHLAN  —  PHILIP 
EMBURY  —  METHODISM  IN  NEWFOUNDLAND  —  IN  NEW  YORK  — 
CONFERENCE  OF  1767  —  CAPTAIN  WEBB  —  RICHARD  BOARDMAN  — 
JOSEPH  PILMOOR. 

THE  first  Metliodist  conference  being  over,  three  of 
the  clergymen  who  composed  it,  namely,  Messrs. 
Hodges,  Piers,  and  Taylor,  returned  to  their  respective 
parishes,  there  to  preach  those  soul-saving  doctrines 
which,  in  conference,  they  had  so  thoroughly  exami- 
ined  ;  while  the  Wesleys,  now  accompanied  by  the 
Rev.  John  Meriton,  scattered  the  same  heavenly  seed 
broadcast,  as  they  itinerated  through  every  part  of  the 
United  Kingdom.  True,  persecution  raged  fearfully  ; 
many  suffered  in  their  property  or  in  their  persons; 
and  some  actually  died  through  the  violence  of  lawless 
mobs ;  yet  they  bore  insults  and  injuries  patiently,  or 
"  took  joyfully  the  spoiling  of  their  goods,"  because 
God  was  honored  by  the  preaching  of  his  word.  "  And 
the  hand  of  the  Lord  was  with  them,  and  a  great  num- 
ber believed,  and  turned  unto  the  Lord." 

The  ra-pid  success  of  Methodism,  and  the  influence 
it  has  acquired,  has  astonished  the  world.  The  cause 
of  that  success  is,  under  God,  attributable  to  its  doc- 
trines, its  discipline,  and  the  various  agents  it  employs. 
Its  doctrines  are  only  those  of  the  New  Testament: 
tliey  have  often  been  assailed,  but  have  never  been  dis- 
proved. Its  discipline  has  preserved  its  institutions  ; 
and  its  agents  have  been  so  diversified,  as  either  directly 

(122) 


METHODISM    IN    AMERICA. 


123 


or  indirectly,  to  act  upon  all  classes  of  society.     And 
as  the  rays  of  the  sun,  when  they  come  in  contact  with 
our  atmosphere,  are  reflected  and  refracted,  until  the 
whole  earth  is  illuminated  ;   so  with  the  early  Metho- 
dist preachers,  some  were  directly  instructed  by  them, 
others  indirectly  ;    but,  in    whatever   way,   light  was 
thereby  diffused  abroad  until  it  has   permeated  every 
evangehcal   church  in  Christendom,  and   produced  a 
great  moral  effect,  unparalleled  in  the  whole  history  of 
the  church,  since  apostolical  times. 
^  In   the   year   1747,    three   years   after   the   forma- 
tion  of   the  first   conference,    Methodism    found    its 
way  to,  and  took  its    stand   in,  Ireland.     Sometime 
in  the  month  of  July,  Thomas  Williams,  one  of  Mr. 
Wesley's  lay-preachers,  came  to  Ireland,  and  preached 
m  Dublin.     He  was  a  zealous  man,  and  both  a  useful 
and  a  popular  preacher.     His  labors  were  blessed,  and 
a  small  society  was  soon  formed.      Three  weeks  after, 
Mr.  Wesley  visited  Dublin,  personally  examined  the 
society,  and  pronounced  them  "  strong  in  faith."     He 
also  said  the  Irish  were  the  politest  people  he  had  ever 
seen.     This  was  the  first  visit  of  the  founder  of  Meth- 
odism to  the  sister  isle.     The  first  preachers  there  had 
great   persecution    to   endure,   but   their  labors   were 
attended  with  much  success. 

About  five  years  from  this  time,  two  young  men 
were  awakened,  and  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the 
truth.  Neither  of  them  was  particularly  distinguished 
either  for  learning  or  talents  in  any  way  ;  yet  were 
they  to  be  the  means,  in  the  hand  of  Divine  Provi- 
dence, of  giving  birth  to  Methodism  in  the  Western 
Hemisphere.  These  young  men  were  Lawrence 
Coughlan  and  Pliihn  Emlmrv       The  former 


ibury. 


planted 


124 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


% 


Methodism  in  Newfoundland  ;  and  the  year  following 
the  latter  did  the  same  in  the  city  of  New  York. 

Methodism  was  introduced  into  Newfoundland  in 
the  year  1765,  and  into  New  York  in  1766.  One 
year  is  the  only  difference ;  but  the  seniority  must  be 
claimed  for  Newfoundland.  In  both  cases,  the  agents 
were  Irishmen. 

Although  Methodism  in  New  York  was  the  second 
in  order  of  time,  yet  we  shall  first  give  a  synopsis  of 
its  early  history  there,  to  avoid  interruption  in  our 
narrative  of  Newfoundland. 

In  the  reign  of  Queen  Anne,  a  number  of  German 
Protestants  left  the  Palatinate,  their  native  home,  with 
the  view  of  settling  in  America,  but  were  driven  by 
stress  of  weather  on  the  western  coast  of  Ireland.  Lord 
Southwell  was  there ;  and,  feeling  for  their  distress,  he 
offered  them  land  on  reasonable  terms,  if  they  would 
settle  on  his  estates  in  the  County  of  Limerick.  They 
accepted  his  offer.  Twenty  families  settled  at  Court- 
matris  ;  twenty  more  at  Killeheen,  a  mile  off;  fifty  at 
Balligarane,  two  miles  eastward  ;  and  twenty  at  PoUar, 
four  miles  farther,  —  all  in  the  County  of  Limerick. 
These  Germans  had  no  minister  of  their  own,  and  no 
religious  ordinances  among  them  ;  and  "  they  soon 
became  eminent  for  drunkenness,  cursing,  swearing,  and 
utter  contempt  for  all  religion."  ^  For  more  than 
forty  years  did  these  people  live  in  this  state.  "  No 
man  cared  for  their  souls."  But  sometime  in  1749, 
Thomas  Williams  preached  in  the  street  in  the  town 
of  Limerick,  when  he  showed  that  "  Christ  crucified  " 
is  the  only  foundation  of  the  Christian's  faith,  and  hope 
of  eternal  salvation.     Several  of  the  Palatines   were 

1  Wesley's  works,  vol.  iii.  p.  336.    See  also  Methodist  Magazine  for 
1825,  p.  597. . 


there.     I 
''This  is 
manyy 
visit   thei: 
did  that 
dells.       1 
matris,  wl 
ist  chapel, 
and  conve 
Amonor 

ter  by  tra( 
vear  of  hi 
bury  bega: 
he  continu 
Among  \k. 
York  in  tl: 
who,  in  th 
mstrumenl 
States  of  A 
mishtv  oro 
copal  Chu 

It  must, 
not  commt 
America ; 
from  God. 
but  it  was 
six  years  t( 
against  sin, 
of  God,  wl 

Some  fiv 
other  Gern 
Heck  and 
that  relijTio 
Ireland  tha 


''"■¥^ 


PHILIP    EMBURY, 


125 


there.  After  the  sermon  they  said  to  each  otlier, 
*'T/ti8  is  like  the  preacldng  ive  med  to  hear  in  Ger- 
many:'  The  result  was,  they  invited  tlie  preacher  to 
visit  their  settlements.  He 'did  so,  and  so  likewise 
did  that  distinguished  and  holy  man,  Robert  Swin- 
dells. The  next  year  Mr.  Wesley  visited  Court- 
matris,  when  he  found  the  people  had  built  a  Method- 
ist chapel,  and  that  many  of  them  had  been  awakened 
and  converted  to  God. 

Among  the  converts  was  Philip  Embury,  a  carpen- 
ter by  trade,  and  a  young  man  in  the  twenty-second 
year  of  his  age.  Soon  after  his  conversion,  Mr.  Em- 
bury began  to  act  as  a  local  preacher,  in  which  capacity 
he  continued  to  exercise  his  talents  for  several  years. 
Among  those  who  emigrated  from  Ireland  to  New 
York  in  the  year  1760  was  this  same  Phihp  Embury, 
who,  in  the  land  of  his  adoption,  became  the  honored 
mstrument  of  introducing  Methodism  into  the  United 
States  of  America,  and  in  laying  the  foundation  of  that 
mighty  organization,  now  known  as  the  Methodist  Epis- 
copal Church. 

It  must,  however,  be  related,  that  Mr.  Embury  did 
not  commence,  preaching  immediately  on  his  arrival  in 
America ;  so  far  from  it,  that  he  was  then  a  backslider 
from  God.  America  was  not  only  a  strange  land  to  him, 
but  it  was  then  morally  a  dark  land ;  and  he  allowed 
six  years  to  roll  over,  ere  he  bore  his  public  testimony 
against  sin,  or  undertook  to  point  sinners  to  the  "  Lamb 
of  God,  which  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world." 

Some  five  or  six  years  after  Mr.  Embury  arrived,  two 
other  German-Irish  families  came,  of  the  names  of 
Heck  and  Dean,  who  seem  to  have  retained  more  of 
tliat  religious  influence  which  they  had  experienced  in 
Ireland  than  any  of  their  emigrant  brethren  who  had 
11* 


126 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


proeeclod  them.  Some  time  in  the  year  1766,  a  party 
of  tliese  emigrants  liad  so  far  forgot  the  teaching  tlicy 
had  enjoyed  under  Jolm  Wesley,  Robert  Swindells, 
and  Thomas  Williams,  as  to  be  found  playing  at  cards  ; 
and  when  they  were  so  engaged,  Mrs.  Heck  entered 
the  house,  and  with  holy  indignation,  she  swept  the 
cards  into  the  fire,  and  warned  her  friends  of  their 
guilt  and  danger.  She  then  went  to  Mr.  Embury,  and 
said  to  him,  "  Brother  Embury,  you  must  preach  to  us, 
or  we  shall  go  to  hell,  and  God  will  require  our  blood 
at  your  hands." 

This  reproof  was  effectual  in  arousing  the  latent 
zeal  of  this,  at  least  partially,  fallen  man ;  for,  in  a  few 
days  afterwards,  he  commenced  preaching  in  his  own 
house,  to  a  congregation  of  only  jive  persons.  This 
was  the  first  Methodist  sermon  ever  preached  on  the 
continent  of  America. 

The  number  of  hearers  soon  increased  ;  some  back- 
sliders were  restored  ;  sinners  were  awakened  and  con- 
verted to  God,  and,  before  the  close  of  the  year  1766, 
a  society  was  organized  in  New  York,  which  was  the 
first  fruits  of  Methodism  in  the  then  "  far  West." 

Soon  Embury's  house  was  found  too  small,  when 
a  room  was  hired  near  the  military  barracks ;  but  this 
was  also  too  small.  A  rigging-loft  was  next  procured, 
which  was  still  small  for  the  constantly  increasing  con- 
gregation. The  open  fields  were  then  taken,  where  to 
proclaim  the  words  of  life  and  salvation.  About  this 
time,  Captain  Webb  arrived  in  New  York.  He  was 
a  British  military  officer,  and  had  been  in  the  campaign 
in  Canada,  in  1758  ;  was  at  the  conquest  of  Quebec 
with  General  Wolfe,  where  he  received  a  wound  in 
his  arm,  and  lost  his  right  eye.  He  returned  to  Eng- 
land  with   his  regiment ;    and,  under  the  preaching  of 


THE    CONFERENCE   IN    DEBT. 


127 


Mr.  Wesley  in  Bristol,  he  was  converted,  and  shortly 
after  he  began  to  preach.  He  was  sent  to  New  York 
on  military  duty.  He  at  once  united  himself  with  the 
little  Methodist  society  there,  and  began  to  preach  in 
his  uniform.  The  cause  now  prospered,  so  that  a  reg- 
ular Methodist  chapel  was  designed,  —  a  building 
sixty  feet  by  forty,  with  galleries  on  three  sides.  This 
chapel  was  opened  for  divine  service,  by  Mr.  Embury, 
on  the  thirtieth  of  October,  1768.  This  was  the  first 
house  of  worship  the  Methodists  ever  owned  in  Ameri- 
ca. It  was  called  Wesley  Chapel ;  but  afterwards  it 
was  named  *'The  John  Street  Methodist  Church." 

Captain  Webb  and  his  friends  now  applied  to  Mr. 
Wesley,  to  "  send  them  an  able  and  experienced  preach- 
er, a  man  of  wisdom,  of  sound  faith,  a  good  disciplina- 
rian, and  whose  heart  and  soul  were  in  the  work." 
This  strong  appeal  was  followed  by  a  second  letter,  in 
which  occurs  the  following  sentence  :  "  With  respect  to 
money  for  the  payment  of  the  preacher'-^  passage  over, 
if  they  could  not  procure  it,  we  would  sell  our  coats, 
and  so  procure  it  for  them." 

At  that  time  the  conference  was  pressed  down  with 
a  heavy  debt,  which  crippled  its  energies,  and  induced 
much  privation  among  the  preachers.  This  debt  was 
caused  mostly  by  payments  for  building  chapels  and 
preachers'  houses.  In  1766,  the  total  amount  of  debt 
was  £  11,383.  It  was  at  this  conference,  that  Mr. 
Wesley  said :  "  We  shall  be  utterly  ruined,  if  we  go 
on  thus.  How  may  we  prevent  the  increase  of 
debt? 

*'  Ans.  1.  Let  no  other  building  be  undertaken,  till 
two  thirds  of  the  money  are  subscribed. 

"  2.  We  will  allow   nothing   to  any   house   which 


'U  ? 


128  NKWFOUNDI.AND    AND    ITS    MISSIONAllIES. 

sliiill  1)0  b(>(ruii  after  this  diiy,  till  the  debt  is  reduced  to 

X  nooo. 

"  I].  Let  every  preaelier  labor  with  all  his  nilnht,  to 
inerease  the  eolleetion  next  year.'* 

By  very  strenuous  ('ll'orts,  the  two  followinn;  years, 
the  debt  was  considerably  reduced  ;  yet^  at  the  conl'er- 
cnce  of  17(51),  the  reniaiuiug  debt  was  between  five  and 
six  thou.^and  pounds.  Notwillistandiiii;'  this  linancial 
difHculty,  the  niagnuniiuous  and  ('hristian  heart  of 
John  Wesley  was  moved  by  the  j)o\ver{ul  ajjpeals  from 
America:  ho  knew  the  men,  he  knew  their  wants,  l\o 
knew  the  country ;  and  he  determined  to  send  them 
help. 

He  therefore  brou<j;ht  tiie  matter  before  the  confer- 
ence. The  maimer  in  which  he  did  this  was  remark^ 
able.  There  appears  to  have  been  no  canvassinof  or 
discussion  of  the  matter  previously,  but  it  came  up  as 
an  ordinary  conference  (piestion.  The  following  is  the 
simple  statement  in  the  minutes  :  — 

QuKa.  10.  What  is  contributed  towards  the  debt? 

Ans.  £2,458  ins.  7d. 

QuKS.  11.  How  was  this  distributed? 

Ans.  As  follows:  [Then  a  list  of  appropriations  is  given,  by 
which  the  whole  amount  is  expended.] 

QuKS.  12.  What  is  reserved  for  contingent  expenses  ? 

Ans.  Nothing. 

QuKS.  13.  We  have  a  pressing  call  from  our  brethren  at  New 
York  (who  have  built  a  preaching-house)  to  come  over  and  help 
them.     Who  is  wiilinjj  to  <ro'? 

It  is  said,  that  when  Mr.  Wesley  proposed  this  ques- 
tion, '*  Who  is  ivilling  to  goT'  the  conference  was 
silent;  not  a  man  spoke.  The  preachers  were  probably 
taken  by  surprise ;  besides  which,  the  voyage  to 
America  was  then  a  formidable  attliir.  The  followincr 
murnnig,   Mr.    Wesley    preached   at  five  o'clock,  and 


took  for  1 
brought  u 
me."  Af 
posed,  wh( 
then  that 
vices ;  he 
minutes : 

QUES.  M. 

love  V 

Ans.  Let 

This  was 

allotted  towi 

pounds  giver 

This  wa 
Er.gland ; 
means  int( 
.  For,  1st.  '■ 
were  poor 
would  chei 
ence  debt, 
assistants, 
ents  of  cir 
year  was,  t 
supposing  J 
conference, 
average  ne 

It  is  a  r 
while  the  ] 
of  between 
fifty  pound 
Yok. 

Forty  do 
could  be  p 


fi 


MISSIONARIES. 


129 


took  for  Ills  text  Isaiah  i.  2 :  **  I  liavc  nourislicd  and 
brought  up  children,  and  they  liave  rebelled  against 
me."  After  this  sermon,  the  question  was  again  i)ro- 
posed,  wlien  the  conference  had  assembled,  and  it  was 
then  that  Boardman  and  Pilmoor  offered  their  ser- 
vices;  hence  the  answer  to  the  question  in  the 
minutes  :  Richard  Boardman  and  Joseph  Pilmoor. 

QuKS.  14.  What  can  wo  do  further,  in  token  of  our  brotherly- 
love  V 

An8.  Let  us  now  make  a  collection  among  ourselves. 

Tliis  was  innncdiately  done ;  and  out  of  it  fifty  pounds  were 
allotted  toward  the  payment  of  their  debt,  and  about  twenty 
pounds  given  to  our  brethren  for  their  passage.* 

This  was  the  fii^t  missionary  collection  ever  made  in 
Er>rrland  ;  and,  taking  the  number  of  men  and  their 
means  into  account,  it  was  perhaps  never  exceeded. 
.  For,  1st.  The  Methodist  preachers  at  that  conference 
were  poor  men  ;  gr,  if  any  of  them  had  money,  they 
would  cheerfully  give  it  to  pay  the  enormous  confer- 
ence debt.  2d.  None  were  at  the  conference  but  the 
assistants,  or,  as  they  are  now  called,  superintend- 
ents of  circuits.  3d.  The  number  of  assistants  that 
year  was,  according  to  the  minutes,  thirty-seven ;  and 
supposing  all  the  assistants  in  England  were  present  at 
conference,  which  is  not  probable,  the  collection  would 
average  near  eight  dollars  for  each  preacher. 

It  is  a  remarkable  feature  in  this  transaction,  that, 
while  the  English  conference  had  a  debt  of  their  own 
of  between  five  and  six  thousand  pounds,  they  yet  sent 
fifty  pounds  to  pay  the  debt  of  their  brethren  in  New 
York. 

Forty  dollars  to  each  of  these  missionaries  was  all  that 
could  be  paid :    a  small  amount,  indeed,  ^or  an  outfit 


»  Minutes,  1769. 


130 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


and  a  passage  to  Now  York.  Yet  with  this  small 
sum  did  these  intrei)id  servaiits  of  the  cross  leave  their 
native  shore  to  preacli  the  gospel  of  Clirist  in  that 
distant  land.  Soon  after  the  close  of  conference,  the 
Brothers  Boardnian  and  Pilmoor  enihaiked  for  New 
York.  They  left  on  the  22d  of  August,  and,  after  a 
tedious  passage  of  nine  weeks,  landed  at  Gloucester 
Point,  New  Jersey,  about  six  miles  below  Philadel- 
phia, on  the  24th  of  October  ;  from  whence  they  soon 
reached  their  place  of  destination,  and  immediately 
entered  upon  their  missionary  work. 

On  the  31st  of  October,  one  week  after  their  arrival, 
Joseph  Pilmoor  wrote  to  Mr.  Wesley,  from  which 
letter  we  make  the  follovvino;  extract :  — 

\ 

"  PuiLAUKLriiiA,  Oct.  31,  1769, 
"  Kev.  Sir,  —  By  the  blessing  of  Cod,  we  are  sale  arrived  here, 

after  a  tedious  passage  of  nine  weeks. 

"  We  were  not  a  Tittle  surprised  to  find  Capt.  Webb  in  town, 

and  a  society  of  about  one  hundred  members,  who  desire  to  be  in 

close  communion  with  you.     This  is  the  Lord's  doing,  and  it  is 

marvellous  in  our  eyes." 

Two  years  these  missionaries  labored ;  preaching 
alternately  in  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  when  their 
hearts  were  cheered  by  the  arrival  of  two  more  mis- 
sionaries sent  over  by  Mr.  Wesley.  These  were  Fran- 
cis Ashbury,  and  Richard  Wright.  The  Methodist 
itinerancy  was  now  commenced  in  America.  Mr.  Pil- 
moor was  appointed  to  travel  south  ;  and  Mr.  Board- 
man  formed  his  circuit  eastward.  lie  introduced  Meth- 
odism into  the  state  of  Massachusetts,  and  proceeded 
as  far  as  the  city  of  Boston,-  where  he  remained  for  a 
short  time,  preached  with  success,  and  formed  a  small 
society ;  when  he  returned  to  New  York. 

Such  was  the  origin  of  Methudism  in  America,  which. 


RICHARD    BOARDMAN. 


181 


notwithstandin rr  tlic  war  of  independence  that  soon 
followed,  struck  deep  into  the  American  heart,  so  as  to 
influence  its  inhabitants  to  form  thr  Methodist  Episco- 
pal Cimrch,  —  a  body  of  Christians  wliich  lias  spread 
itself  in  every  part  of  the  United  States,  which  num- 
bers its  ministers  by  thousands,  its  members  by  hundreds 
of  thousands,  and  its  adlierents  by  millions.  It  has  its 
colleges  and  its  halls  of  literature  in  every  State;  it 
has  its  several  book-rooms,  from  whence  issue  its  num- 
berless j)ublications  to  instruct  the  people  in  religion 
and  general  knowledge,  as  well  as  to  confront  the  dan- 
gerous sentiments  sent  forth  to  the  world  by  a  licentious 
press ;  it  has  its  divines  in  its  pulpits,  its  judges  on  the 
bench,  and  its  statesmen  in  its  senate.  Moreover,  it  has 
become,  like  its  parent,  a  great  missionary  church.  It 
has  its  missions  in  almost  every  part  of  the  earth, 
speaking  in  many  tongues  the  wonderful  works  of 
God.  It  takes  an  important  and  very  prominent  part 
in  the  aftUirs  of  the  Bible  Society,  in  the  circulation  of 
tracts,  in  the  temperance  movement,  and  in  every 
other  Christian,  benevolent,  and  philanthropic  object. 
In  fine,  it  seems  one  of  the  great  organizations  which 
our  heavenly  Father  will  employ  for  the  illumination 
of  the  darkened  minds  of  men,  and  for  brinmn<r  the 
nations  of  the  earth  to  knowledge  and  experience  of 
evangelical  truth. 

Richard  Boardman  labored  in  America  five  years. 
He  returned  to  Europe  in  the  beginning  of  the  year 
1774,  and  was  appointed  to  the  Londonderry  Circuit. 
He  labored  in  different  circuits  in  Endand  and  Ire- 
land  for  eight  years,  and  was  suddenly  called  to  his 
reward  on  the  29th  of  September,  1782.  He  died  in 
Cork  of  an  apoplectic  fit.  Plis  last  sermon  was  from 
Job  xiii,  15  :  ''  Though  he  slay  me^  yet  will  I  trust 


182 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISHION  AUIKS. 


in  hlin."  Jt  was  prcnchod  tlio  cvonlii^r  Ix.foro  lila  death. 
Ho  was  said  to  Inivo  Ikh'U  a  ivood  pnac'liiT,  and  a  man 
of  great  simplicity  and  sincerity  of  cliaractor.  In  the 
minntes  of  1788,  Mr.  Wesley  says  of  liini :  "  lie  was 
a  j)ions,  good-natnred,  sensible  man,  greatly  beloved  of 
all  who  knew  him." 

Joseph  Pilmoor  was  admitted  on  trial  as  a  Metho- 
dist ])reacher  at  the  coni'erenco  of  1705.     In  his  south- 
ern tour,  as  an  American  missionary,  ho  i)reached  in 
different    jmrts   of    Maryland,    Virginia,    Korth   and 
South  Carolina,  and  (Jeorgia  as  far  as  Savannah ;  in 
which  extensive  circuit  he  spent  four  years,  and  re- 
turned with    Itichard    JJoardman   to  England.     Thus 
the  two  first  missionaries  sent  out  by  Mr.  Wesley  both 
went  on  their  mission  and  returned  in  company,  —  a  c|i^ 
cumstanco   that  has  rarely,  if  it  has  ever,  happened 
since.     Mr.    Pilmoor   continued,  for  a   few  years,  to 
travel  and  labor  in  connection  with  Mr.  Wesley,  as  a 
Methodist   preacher.     But  he  afterwards  returned  to 
America,    took    orders    in    the   Protestjint   E])iscopal 
Church,  and  spent  the  remainder  of  his  life  in  the  cities 
of  New  York  and  Philadelphia,  as  an  acceptable  and 
efficient  minister  of  that  church.     He  lived  to  a  good 
old  age,  and,  it  is  believed,  was  beloved  and  respected 
by  the  people  to  whom  he  ministered  to  the  end  of  his 
life ;  and  was  instrumental  in  the  conversion  and  sal- 
vation   of  many.     The   truly  evangelical   spirit  pro- 
duced through  his  instrumentality  in  the  congregation 
over  which  he  presided,  and  a  correspondent  attention 
to  some  of  the  peculiar  means  of  grace  which  he  intro- 
duced among  them,  continued  to  manifest  themselves 
for  a  number  of  years  after  his  death.^ 


*  Wesley's  Missiuimries  to  America,  p.  28. 


AMERICAN    MKTHOniflM. 


133 


It  would  not;  Ik;  i„  arrordur.co  witl.'our  plan  to  ex- 
tend our  remarks  on  American  iMethodism.      Suffice  it 
to  say,  that  we  rejoice  in  its  ^r.-oat  i)rosi)erity.       May  it 
|)rusper  yet  more  and  more  I     Whatever  difference  na- 
tional usn^ro,  or  peculiar  localities  may  have  made  in 
<l'^'  adupmstration  of   Methodist    discipline,  Methodist 
«  ocfruK^  is  universally  the  same.      The  proper  essential 
divnnty  of  the  ]{edeemer,  the  atonement  of  his  pre- 
nous  hlood,  the  universality  of  his  salvation,  justifit.ition 
hy   a.th,  the  witness  of  the  spirit,  entire  sanctification, 
With  the  everlastin^r  heatification  of  the  righteous,  and 
the  equally  eternal  punishment  of  the  finally  impem'tent 
are  constantly  heard  from  every  Methodist  r,ulpit  ur,on 
earth.     It  k  by  the  faithful  preaching  of  these  Jeat 
truths  that  such  multitudes  have  been  "  turned  to  the 
Lord  ;       and  i^  these  same  doctrines   continue  to  bo 
pr..K^.ed  with    fliithadness,  with  scriptural  simplicity, 
and  Christian  zeal,  they  will  continue  to  be  blessed,  and 
be  the  means  of  salvation  of  myriads  of  the  present 
and  ot  unborn  generations. 


12 


CHAPTER    III. 


RISE  OP  METHODISM  IN  NEWFOUNDLAND  —  LAWRENCE  COUGHLAN — 
RISE  OF  METHODISM  IN  JERSEY  AND  FRANCE  — JOHN  STRETTON  — 
ARTHUR    THOMEY. 

METHODISM  commenced  in  Newfoundland  in  the 
year  1765,  under  the  ministration  of  the  Rev. 
Lawrence  Coughlan,  who  was  connected  with  The 
Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign 

Parts.  \ 

This  society  was  formed  in  the  reign  of  King  Wil- 
liam- HI.,  and  incorporated  on  the  16th  of  June,  1701. 
The  design  of  its  founders  was  to  supply  the  British 
Colonies  "with  Episcopal  ministers,  catechists,  and 
school-masters."  1  This  society,  from  its  commence- 
ment, was  "  High  Church  ;  "  yet  it  numbers  among  its 
originators  and  promoters  the  honored  and  pious  Bish- 
ops Burnet,  Beveridge,  and  Tennison.  It  opened  a 
school  in  New  York  in  1704  ;  and,  the  year  following,  it 
appointed  a  missionary  to  Newfoundland,  whose  parish, 
it  is  said,  was  the  "  whole  island."  We  are  not  in  pos- 
session of  the  name  of  this  missionary,  or  any  notation 
of  bis  labors,  or  of  the  labors  of  his  successors,  if  he 
hrid  any,  before  the  arrival  of  Mr.  Coughlan. 

Mr.  Coughlan  was  an  Irishman,  and,  like  Philip  Em- 
bury, was  among  the  first  fruits  of  Methodism  in  his 
native  isle.  After  his  conversion,  he  was  called  to  the 
work  of  the  ministry,  and  labored  ten  years  as  a  trav- 

1  Propagation  of  Christianity  by  Brown,  vol.  ii.  p.  657. 
(134) 


LETTER    FROM    MR.    COUGHLAN. 


135 


elling  preacher  in  connection  with  Mr.  W.  sley  It  is 
no  argument  against  this  to  say,  the  name  Lawrence 
Coughlan  IS  not  found  in  the  Minutes  of  Conference 
for  there  is  a  chasm  in  our  early  minutes  of  sixteen 
years.  "  The  doctrines  and  principal  parts  of  the  dis- 
ciphne  of  the  Methodists  being  agreed  upon,  Mr.  Wes- 
ley,  It  appears,  discontinued  publishing  the  minutes  an- 
nually from  1749  till  1765  ;  at  least,  if  any  were  pub- 
hshecl,  we  cannot  find  that  a  single  copy  of  them  is  ex- 
tant.  It  was  during  ten  of  those  years  that  Mr. 

Coughlan  was  a  Methodist  preacher,  and  therefore  his 
name  could  notappear.  Mr.  Myles,  in  his  "  chronology  " 
expressly  says:  -From  1755  to  1765,  Mr.  Lawrence 
Coughlan  travelled  in  the  connection,  and  then  sepa- 
rated from  Mr.  Wesley.  2  ^ 

We  shall  here  insert  two  letters  from  Mr.  Coucdilan 
to  Mr.  Wesley,  while  he  was  a  travelling  preacher,  in 
both  of  which  we  see  the  high  state  of  his  religious  ex- 
perience the  second,  in  particular,  shows  that  at  the 
time  of  writing  it  he  lived  in  the  enjoyment  of  perfect 
love. 

jFROM  MR.   COUGHLAN  TO   EEV.   MR.   WESLEY. 

"  January  26,  1762. 
"  Rev.  Sir,  _  I  bless  God,  I  do  hold  fast  whereunto  I  have  at- 
tained.    Christ  is  all  and  in  all  to  my  soul.    In  all  his  works  my 
God  I  see,  the  object  of  my  love.     Two  or  three  years  ago,  vou 
wrote  the  following  words  with  a  diamond  pencil  on  a  window'  in 
Whitehaven :  '  God  is  here.'    Those  words  have  often  since  been 
a  great  blessing  to  my  soul,     i  am  often  so  filled  with  gratitude 
that  I  can  let  silence  speak  his  praise.     Sometimes  it  is  drawn  out 
m  sweet  holy  mourning  for  those  who  are  as  sheep  without  a  shep- 
herd.     At  other  times,  God  shows  me  what  a  poor,  helpless  crea- 
ture I  am.     And  the  sense  of  this  always  abides  with  me,  so  that  I 
am  often  amazed  at  my  own  ignorance;  and  whatever  good  I  feel 


*  Minutes  of  Conterence,  vol.  i.  p.  46. 


'  See  Myles,  p.  170. 


130 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


■i 


or  do,  1  can  truly  say,  it  is  the  Lord.  I  now  hoar  a  voice  say,  in 
a  few  }  (Sirs  thou  wilt  turn  out  worse  than  ever.  But,  blessed  be 
God,  I  iioar  and  follow  his  voice :  therefore  I  take  no  thought  for 
the  morrow.  This  day  is  put  into  my  hands,  and  T  have  only  to 
make  the  best  of  it.  I  have  need  to  watch  against  my  own  will. 
But  is  there  not  what  we  may  call  an  innocent  will  ?  For  in- 
stance, I  mill  to  be  in  London,  from  this  motive  only,  that  I  may 
hear  more  of  the  praises  of  God.  So  I  choose  or  refuse  this  or 
that  kind  of  food,  that  I  may  be  more  fit  to  serve  God.  But  I  am 
not  uneasy  about  it.  If  I  were,  I  apprehend  it  would  be  a  sinful 
will.  No  :  I  am  entirely  resigned,  knowing  God  will  cause  all 
tilings  to  work  together  for  good. 

"  I  am.  Reverend  Sir,  yours, 

"Lawrhnce  Coughlan." 


"  April  12, 1763. 

"  Rev.  Sir,  —  I  staid  two  nights  at  Chester  after  you:  and  in- 
deed it  was  a  time  of  love.  In  the  meeting  of  the  bands,  several 
of  oui  friends  spoke.  Old  Mr.  Pritchard  was  the  first.  He  said: 
'  For  some  time  T  have  been  longing  for  a  clean  heart,  yet  I 
thoujiht  God  would  not  give  it  to  so  vile  a  sinner.  And  the  first 
night  I\!r.  W.  preached,  I  felt  something  across  my  heart,  like  an 
iion  bar,  cold  and  hard.  But  hearing  Mr.  W.  insist  on  the  word 
now,  I  said,  I-ord,  here  I  am,  a  poor  sinner.  I  believe  thou  canst 
Siive  me  now,  and  give  me  a  clean  heart.  In  that  moment  Jesus 
said  to  my  soul,  /  will :  be  thou  clean.  Immediately  that  bar  was 
broken,  and  all  my  soul  was  tilled  with  love;  nor  could  I  doubt 
but  Jesus  had  made  me  clean,  through  the  word  which  he  had 
spoken  to  my  soul.'  And  three  more  were  enabled,  before  we 
piu'ted,  to  declare  the  same. 

"  I  find  Christ  to  be  exceeding  precious  to  my  soul,  and  it  is  my 
one  desire  to  do  his  will.    My  soul  is  like  a  watered  garden ;  my 
life  is  hid  with  Christ  in  God ;  and  I  believe,  when  Christ,  who  is 
my  life,  shall  appear,  I  shall  appear  with  him  in  glory. 
"  I  am,  Reverend  Sir,  yours  truly, 

"Lawrence  Coughlan." 

a±T.  X  nomas  iviarnoii,  in  aii  article  entiuyu  -  iueiu- 


odism  ii 

ley  an  IV 

"  In  17( 

10  Newf 

the  Gosj 

a  mistak 

by  Mr. 

been  se\ 

year  17(: 

The  d 

was  mad 

society  tl 

j)0sal.     1 

lie  consid 

o^  tliat  C( 

He  there 

Mr.  Cou^ 

which  re( 

and  some 

Ian  accor 

Grace,  in 

Althou 

Society  fc 

Parts,  he 

trine   and 

Methodisr 

\Ac  were 

governor, 

magistrate 

law  was  \i 

ministered 

system  hai 

chants  rul 

was  know] 


MR.    COUGHLAN, 


1C7 


odism  in  Former  Days,"  wliich  is  inserted  in  tlie  Wes- 
leyan  Methodist  Magazine  for  1851,  page  869,  says: 
"  In  1768  he  (Mr.  Couglilan)  was  ordained,  and  sent 
10  Newfoundland  by  the  Society  for  tlie  Propagation  of 
the  Gos])el."     As  far  as  the  year  is  concerned,  this  was 
a  mistake;  for  a  letter  is  given  in  another  page,  written 
by  Mr.  Coughlan  in  1772,  in  which  he  says  he  had 
been  seven  years  a  missionary.     This  will  make  the 
year  1765  the  time  when  he  went  to  Newfoundland. 
The  destitute  state  of  the  settlers  in  Newfoundland 
was  made  known  to  Mr.  Wesley ;  but  no  missionary 
society  then  existed,  and  he  had  no  funds  at  his  dis- 
j)osal.     Yet  there  was  a  man  in  his  connection,  whom 
he  considered  as  every  way  fit  to  become  the  evangelist 
o^'  that  country.     That  man  was  Lawrence  Coughlan. 
He  therefore  applied  to  the  Bishop  of  London  to  ordain 
Mr.  Coughlan,  and  send  him  to  Newfoundland  ;  with 
which  request  his  lordship  thought  proper  to  comply, 
and  sometime  during  the  summer  of  1765,  Mr.  Cough- 
lan accordingly  came  cut  as  a  missionary  to  Harbor 
Grace,  in  Conception  Bay. 

Although  now  a  clergyman  under  the  auspices  of  the 
Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign 
Parts,  he  was  still  a  Methodist  preacher,  both  in  doc- 
trine  and   discipline;    and   to    his    evangelical   labors 
Methodism  owes  its  origin  in  Newfoundland.     The  peo- 
lAe  were  in  a  fearful  state.     True,  there  was  then  a 
governor,  in  the  person  of  Captain  Palliser,  R.  N.,  and 
magistrates  had  been  appointed  in  different  places  ;  yet 
law  was  httle  known  in  the  out-harbors,  except  as  ad- 
ministered  by   the   fishing  admirals,   which   infamous 
system  had  not  then  entirely  passed  away.     The  mer- 
chants ruled  the  people  at  their  pleasure :'  not  a  school 
was  known  in  the  island,  nor  was  a  single  temple  raised 

12* 


mn 


NKWHUNnLANI)    AN1»    US    MIHMION AHIKS. 


tluM'(>  to  ll>i'  worship  of  AliniLihiy  (Jod.  Men  wlio  liiul 
comr  IVom  MulMmikI  inwl  ncvci'  sim'II  ii.  minister  since? 
tlicv  li'lV  tlirir  UMtivi'  sliort* ;  and  lhos(?  wiio  lind  hciMV 
l)orn  on  llio  island  inid  n«<V(>r  scimi  oik^  in  liu^ir  livos. 
'V\\v  Sal>ltalli  was  uidoiowu  ;  tlu-ro  was  noiio  to  culo- 
braU'  niarriap',  and  iho  inarrla^o  vow  was  littK?  ro- 
^ardi'd.  (>|)|>ri>ssion,  violcnco,  swcarinsi;,  dchaiiclicry, 
prolimily,  lici'Mliousiu'ss,  and  every  cnnu"  tluit  can  de- 
grade hmuan  natuns  sink  civilized  man  to  a.  Hiiva;j;c,  or 
evon  reduce  lnn»  below  the  hrntis  was  practised  with- 
out a  cluH'k  ;  in  u  word,  tl>(»  peoph^  wiMV  domorali/ed  to 
«n  oxtent  that  could  scarcely  have  heiMi  exceedeil  l)y 
the  ihunder-smittiMi  iidiahitanls  of  Sodom's  plain. 
Surt^ly  there  was  no  place  that  stood  more  in  need  of 
a  UHs^ionary  than  did  Newfoundland  ;  atid  lew  men 
were  better  adapttnl  lor  that  work  than  tlu^  man  now 
sent. 

In  this  tar  distant  land,  without  a  Christia:;  friend, 
ami  surrounded  by  every  vice,  did  this  I'aithi'ul  servant 
of  (lod  bear  his  testimony  against  sin,  and  proclaim, 
*•  IV»hold  the  Lamb  of  (uul,  which  taketh  away  the 
sin  of  the  workb" 

His  style  o\^  preachinn;  was  ]>lain  and  simple,  yet 
faithful,  atfet'tionate,  and  kind.  Ftu'ty-fonr  years  ao;o, 
when  the  writer  was  lalH)rinii;  on  the  .Island  Cove  and 
Perlican  circuit,  he  knew  a  few  aj2;ed  persons  who  had 
sat  luuler  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Couohlan,  and  who 
knew  him  well.  Particidarly,  would  he  mention  a 
venerable  Christian  woman,  Mrs.  Elizabeth  Lock,  of 
Lower  Islanil  Cove,  then  in  the  seventy-fifth  year  of 
her  age.  She  always  mentioned  the  name  of  Mr. 
Coughlan  with  respect.  She  would  tell  of  his  faithful 
preaehinjr,  and  of  its  eifect  upon  the  hearers.     "  You 

-_- i        *1.!„1.    '»      .,1 i..lil        oov        *t   "'liof       .>       cfofp      Nn\V 


SIS,  *  I    1 


gation 


PTHHT    MKTFIODIHT    HOCIM'IY. 


139 


f^MindlMiid  was  in,  when  tliiit  uv.iu  of  (},h]  cnirKi  ainonrr 
us.  Im!i;iiii(^  any  sin  yon  will,  and  yon  cannot  think 
of  anytliin^r  t,)„  Um\.  If,,  wonld  sotnctinicH  dcvscrilm 
tiic  sins  of  tli('  land  in  lan^^nj.-i^ro  that  politer  i)(3oi)l() 
would  seem  to  h«  shockod  nt  ;  yet  they  know  ho  was 
spoakin^r  „„|y  th(!  tnith.  On(^  oxprossion  lio  would 
UHo,  when  (vaniostly  (Miforcin^r  th(?  coininand  oF  God,— 
'Ory  aloud,  sparo  not,  lift  up  thy  voico  liko  a  truin[)ot, 
and  show  my  jx'oplo  thoir  trans^rrossions,  and  tho  liouso 
of  Jacol)  thoir  sins,'  —  was,  '  You  fishonnon,  you  N(!W- 
fotuidland  fishonnon,'  lu;  would  say  wit!i  ^rroat  ompha- 
sis,  *  I  toll  you,  if  you  ropont  not,  your  sins  will  sink 
yo«i  into  holl.'  " 

This  was  a  kind  of  |)roaohin^  not  ono  of  his  conr^re- 
f^^'ition  had  ovor  ]u«ard  boforo.  Thoy  w(;re  astonished. 
Homo  laurjliod  at  it ;  othors  wore  dis(rnstod  totliink  tliat 
tho  parson  sliould  say  suoh  stron«T  tinners,  and  intcrfore 
with  thoir  i)loasuros  ;  but  some  wore  awakened  and 
converted.  Those  persons  were  at  once  united  in  class. 
This  was  the  first  Motliodist  society  on  the  west  of  the 
Atlantic,  and  it  was  formed  before  the  close  of  the  year 
1705.  ^ 

The  society  increased,  and  the  class  was  divided ; 
when  the  married  men  and  the  married  women  met 
apart,  and  the  Methodist  discipline  was  introduced 
among  them.  Our  missionary  now  became  a  faithful 
l)ast()r,  visiting  the  peoj)lo  from  house  to  house,  and  ex- 
l)ounding  the  word  of  God. 

He  koi)t  np  a  correspondence  with  Mr.  Wesley,  and 
received  consolation  and  help  from  his  replies.  From 
a  letter,  written  by  Mr.  Wesley  to  Mr.  Coughlan  while 
in  Newfoundland,  we  make  the  following  extract  :  — 


'■■F 
-''T 


"  Dear  Lawrence,  —  By  a  various  train  of  providences, 


isUWiK^a 


you 


140 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


■iS;   .ii 


(I  I 


have  been  led  to  the  very  place  where  God  Intended  you  should  be ; 
and  you  have  reason  to  praise  him  that  he  has  not  suffered  your  la- 
bor there  to  be  in  vain.  In  a  short  time,  how  little  will  it  signify 
whether  we  had  lived  in  the  summer  islands  or  beneath  '  the  rage 
of  Aretos  and  eternal  frost ! ' 

*'  How  soon  will  this  dream  of  life  be  at  an  end !  And  when  we 
are  once  landed  in  eternity,  it  will  be  all  one  whether  we  spent  our 
time  on  earth  in  a  palace,  or  had  not  where  to  lay  our  head." 

Persecution  soon  began.  The  English  settlers,  or 
their  fathers,  had  mostly  come  from  the  neighborhood 
of  Poole,  or  other  parts  of  Dorsetshire,  where  the 
Methodists  were  then  but  little  known,  and  were  all 
churchmen ;  and  now  in  the  land  of  their  sojourn,  as 
they  had  obtained  a  minister,  they  expected  he  would 
be  like  the  ministers  they  had  known  in  England,  —  read 
p;:ayers  to  them,  and  preach  on  Sunday,  ?ind,  if  he  did 
not  join  with  them,  he  would  at  least  let  them  alone  in 
their  "  innocent  amusements."  What  rio-ht  had  a 
church  minister,  in  a  distant  dependency,  to  introduce 
heresy  and  schism  into  the  church,  or  in  any  way  con- 
nect himself  with  the  hated  John  Wesley,  who  had 
been  refused  several  pulpits  for  preaching  salvation  by 
faith,  and  who,  by  his  preaching,  had  turned  the  "  world 
upside  down." 

He  was  opposed  and  insulted  by  some  of  his  parish- 
oners,  but  he  disregarded  it ;  then  he  was  prosecuted  in 
the  chief  court  of  the  island,  but  his  enemies  were  un- 
successful; next  he  was  summoned  to  appear  before 
the  Governor,  but  His  Excellency  declared  in  his  fa- 
vor, and  made  him  a  justice  of  the  peace.  Foiled  in 
all  their  attempts  thus  far,  they  thought  of  another 
plan,  which,  if  successful,  would  forever  silence  his 
warning  voice  against  their  sins.  This  plan  was  to 
poison  him ;  and  they  actually  engaged  a  pliysician  to 


poison  i 

before  j 

derous 

to  God, 

sive  an( 

with  hi 

God  Wi 

lence ; 

and  aft 

commui 

edge  of 

The] 

fined  to 

miles,  y 

The  cht 

mission, 

underst( 

to  Mr.  ^ 

and  pul 

ber,  171 

FROM 

"  Rev. 
attended 
to  glory,  2 
in  the  con 

"  I  am  1 
at  the  end 
up  and  do 
gladly  staj 
am  not  ab 

"  I  am,  i 
hope  I  ev' 
followed  a 
apart  onc€ 


MR.    COUGH  LAN    TO    MR.    WESSl.EY. 


141 


poison  any  medicine  ho  might  administer  to  him  ;  hut, 
before  any  opportunity  offered  for  carrying  that  mur- 
derous design  into  effeot^  tlie  physician  was  converted 
to  God,  and  revealed  tha  plot.  Lastly,  tiiey  sent  abu- 
sive and  sUmderous  letters  to  England,  to  injure  him 
with  his  friends  at  home.  3ut  all  was  in  vain,  for 
God  was  with  him ;  his  enemies  were  reduced  to  si- 
lence ;  the  work  prospered  ;  and,  when  he  left  the  isl- 
and after  seven  years'  labor,  there  were  two  hundred 
communicants,  all  awakened  and  brought  to  a  knowl- 
edge of  the  truth  through  his  instrumentality. 

The  ministrations  of  Mr.  Couglilan  were  mostly  con- 
fined to  Harbor  Grace,  or  within  the  radius  of  a  few 
miles,  yet  the  benefit  was  felt  all  down  the  north  shore. 
The  character  of  his  labors  while  on  the  Newfoundland 
mission,  as  well  as  his  views  and  success,  will  be  best 
understood  by  a  perusal  of  the  following  letter,  written 
to  Mr.  Wesley  a  few  months  before  he  left  the  island, 
and  published  in  the  Arminian  Magazine  for  Septem- 
ber, 1785,  page  490. 

FROM    REV.    L.    COUGHLAN   TO   REV.    JOHN    WESLEY. 
"  Harbor  Grace,  Newfoundland,  Nov.  4,  1772. 

"  Rev.  Sir,  —  I  bless  God,  my  poor  labors  in  this  laud  have  been 
attended  with  some  little  success:  some  precious  souls  are  gone 
to  glory,  and  a  few  more  are  walking  in  the  fear  of  the  Lord  and 
in  the  comforts  of  the  Holy  Ghost. 

"I  am  now  in  the  seventh  year  of  my  servitude  as  a  missionary, 
at  the  end  of  which  I  hope  to  return  to  England.  Could  I  travel 
up  and  down  in  this  land,  so  as  to  be  useful  any  longer,  I  would 
gladly  stay;  but,  as  I  cannot,  except  by  water,  in  small  boats.  I 
am  not  able  to  stand  it. 

"  I  am,  and  do  confess  myself,  aMethodist.    The  name  I  love,  and 
hope  I  ever  shall.     The  plan  which  you  first  taught  me,  I  have 
followed  as  to  doctrine  .and  discipline.     Our  married  mpn  meet- 
apart  once  a  week;  and  the  married  women  do  the  same.     This 


.•a 


':M 


142 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


has  given  great  offence,  so  that  repeated  complaints  have  been 
made  to  the  governor.      But  truth  is  mighty,  and  will  prevail. 

"  In  winter,  I  go  from  house  to  house,  and  expound  some  part  of 
God'a  word.  This  has  also  given  great  offence  ;  '  but  God  is  above 
men,  devils,  and  sin.'  The  society,^  I  make  no  doubt,  have  many 
complaints  against  me ;  but  in  this  I  shall  commit  all  to  God,  for  I 
am  conscious  to  myself  that  what  I  do  is  for  the  glory  of  God,  and 
the  good  of  souls.  We  have  the  sacrament  once  a  month,  and 
have  about  two  hundred  communicants.  This  is  more  than  all  the 
other  missionaries  in  the  land  have ;  nor  do  I  know  of  any  who 
attend  our  sacrament,  who  have  not  the  fear  of  God,  and  some 
are  happy  in  his  love.  There  are  some  also  whose  mouths  God 
hath  opened  to  give  a  word  of  exhortation.  I  hope  he  will  raise 
up  more. 

"  About  this  time  twelve  months  I  hope  to  be  on  my  passage  to 
England.  If  I  come  by  the  way  of  Ireland,  I  should  like  to  see 
my  old  friends  there.  I  shall  be  glad  to  know  if  it  will  be  agreea- 
ble to  you  for  me  to  speak  in  your  societies.  I  beg  leave  to  ask 
you  one  thing  more.  Having  served  the  society  seven  years,  as 
their  missionary,  upon  my  return  to  England,  with  a  strong  testi- 
monial from  my  parish,  is  the  society  obliged  to  find  me  a  living  ? 
And  if  I  could  get  a  place  in  the  church,  would  you  advise  me  to 
accept  of  it  ?  If  I  know  my  own  heart,  I  would  be  where  I  can 
be  most  useful.  To  be  shut  up  in  a  litde  parish-church,  and  to 
conform  in  every  little  thing  for  sixty  or  a  hundred  pounds  a  year, 
I  would  not ;  no  not  even  for  a  thousand.  My  talents,  you  very 
well  know,  sir,  are  but  small ;  so  that  to  be  shut  up  here  any  long- 
er will  not  do.  I  am  sure  that  it  is  high  time  that  I  should  be  re- 
moved. Who  God  will  provide  for  this  people,  I  know  not.  But 
he  opens,  and  none  can  shut.  I  have  informed  good  Lady  Hun- 
tingdon of  my  coming  next  year.  Her  plan  is  somewhat  agreea- 
ble to  me ;  that  is,  in  going  from  one  place  to  another.  Yet  there 
is  one  thing  wanting,  viz.,  discipline ;  which  I  look  upon,  under 
God,  has  been  the  preserving  of  my  society.  My  preaching  in 
this  land  would  do  but  little  good,  were  it  not  for  our  little  meet- 
ings. A  line  from  you  next  spring  will  be  very  acceptable  to,  Rev. 
and  dear  sir,         Your  dutiful  son  in  the  gospel, 

"  L.  COUGHLAN." 

^  The  Societv'  for  Propafatin"'  Christian  Enowledces 


Mr.  ( 

after  vv 
him. 
wander 
science 
found  tl 
to  Mr.  I 
which  tl 
and  whi 
Methodi 
ing  sent 

"The 
a  blessed 
tears  and 
went  out 

Little 
SO  much 
whom  h 
beside  t! 
the  lane 
a  large 
the  resu 
little  chu 
watched 
hers  shoi 
should  b( 
sliould  si 
the  preai 
"  turned 

We  h( 
upon  the 
Islands  a 
a  rehVioi 
facts  are 


METHODISM    AMONG   THE    FRENCH. 


I    I 


148 


Mr.  Couglilan  returned  to  Englmul  the  next  sprinn;, 
after  which  we  have  but  little  information  respecting 
him.  It  would  seem,  however,  that  in  some  way  ho 
wandered  from  God,  and  brou^rht  guilt  upon  his  con- 
science ;  yet  it  is  satisfactory  to  know  that  he  again 
found  the  favor  and  m  -a-y  of  God.  In  a  letter  written 
to  Mr.  Stretton,  of  Harbor  Grace,  dated  Feb.  25, 1785, 
which  the  writer  saw  in  the  hand-writing  of  Mr.  Wesley, 
and  which  was  afterwards  published  in  the  Wesleyan 
Methodist  Magazine  for  1824,  p.  307,  occurs  the  follow- 
ing sentence : — 

"  The  last  time  I  saw  Mr.  Coughlan,  he  was  ill  in  body,  but  in 
a  blessed  state  of  mind.  He  was  utterly  broken  in  pieces,  full  of 
tears  and  contrition  for  his  past  unfaithfulness.  Not  long  after  I 
went  out  of  town,  God  removed  him  to  a  better  place." 

Little  did  Mr.  Coughlan  think,  when  he  expressed 
so  much  concern  for  his  "  two  hundred  communicants  " 
whom  he  was  about  to  leave  in  Harbor  Grace,  that, 
beside  their  conversion,  he  had  also  kindled  a  fire  in 
the  land  that  should  never  be  extinguished  ;  that 
a  large  Wesleyan  community  should  arise  therein,  as 
the  result  of  the  seed  which  he  had  sown  ;  that  the 
little  church  which  he  had  planted  should  be  cared  for, 
watched  over,  and  edified  ;  that,  in  after  years,  its  mem- 
bers should  be  counted  by  thousands  ;  that  its  influence 
should  be  felt  in  the  government,  and  its  representatives 
should  sit  in  the  councils  of  the  country ;  and  that,  by 
the  preaching  of  his  successors,  multitudes  should  be 
"  turned  unto  the  Lord,"  and  be  saved  forever. 

We  here  pause  in  our  narrative,  to  make  a  remark 
upon  the  introduction  of  Methodism  into  the  Norman 
Islands  and  into  France,  which  can  be  traced  back  to 
a  religious  awakening  first  felt  in  Harbor  Grace.     The 


1    i 


144 


NKWKOIJNDI.ANI)    AND    ITf>    MHSION AIURB. 


Pierre  l^(^  Sueur,  a  uiitive  oF  Jersey,  aiul  Hovcnil 
other  persons  Iroin  tlu>  smne  island,  were  en^^n^ed 
in  trailt!  in  Neulnundland,  while  Mr.  Coui^hhiu  was 
ox(M*eisin«:j  liis  niiiiistry  tliere.  Some  of  thi-se  ju-rsons, 
and  anion<j;  tlieni  \a*  Sueur  liiinseM',  attended  the 
ministry  of  Mr.  Cou^hhm.  llo  hecamo  si'riously  im- 
pressed, and  returned  to  Jersey  with  an  awakeu'-d 
conseienee,  and  toM  liis  friends  and  nei<j;hhors  tliu 
blessed  elfeets  that  had  heen  priuhiced  upon  his  mind, 
l)V  t!»o  faithful  exh»»rtations  of  tiiu  Ni'wfoundland 
preaeh(M'.  Ti»e  neiu;!d)ors  of  Mr.  Le  Sueur  thou;L;ht  him 
mad  ;  his  wife  also  opposed  his  views  ;  and,  witliout 
counstd  or  symj)athy  from  any  one,  for  some  timo  he 
felt  the  piilt  of  his  sins  upon  him,  without  a  friend  to 
dirtrt  him  to  the  eross  of  the  Redeemer.  At  len«!;th,  a 
man  nanu'd  John  Kenton  returned  fr()m  Newfoundland, 
and  uave  him  the  .«2;uidanee  he  needed  ;  jind  Le  Sueur, 
after  weepin<jj  and  searehin<j;  the  S<'riptures  tlirouj^li 
whole  nights,  received  the  })eaee  of  (lod  while  prostrate 
in  secret  prayer.  His  wife,  eonvineed  by  his  exam})le, 
boujan  to  pray,  and,  after  ^reat  mental  suffeiinn;,  re- 
ceived, while  upon  lier  knees  by  his  side,  the  consolation 
which  he  had  obtained.  The  conversion  of  Le  Sueur 
and  his  wife  soon  i)roduced  no  little  excitement ;  and  in 
about  :i  week  twelve  ])ersons  were  awakened,  and  joined 
ill  their  devotions,  while  otiiers  vlokntlv  discussed  and 
opposed  their  supposed  fanaticism.  This  occurred  in 
1775,  soon  after  which  Le  Sueur  became  a  local 
preacher,  and  his  friend,  Jolni  Fenton,  gave  exhor- 
tations, and  prayed  with  the  people.^ 

*  See  memoir  of  Mrs.  Elizabeth  A.rivo,  of  Guernsey;  Methodist 
Magazine,  IS20,  p.  239.  Also,  History  of  Methodism,  by  Abel 
Stevens,  LL.  D.,  vol.  ii.  p.  329. 


The 

pether 

The 

i7H<;,v 

liracke 

mission 

Ml'. 

became 

Adam  i 

Jiyt 

a  ]>ersoi 

of  Guei 

at  whosi 

and  wai- 

yon  no;  11 

ministry 

M.J) 

the  yeai 

tend  wil 

and   the 

after  th 

prosper, 

was  orn 

mornino; 

thy  lianc 

either  th 

good." 

1  wo  J 
J  lis  heart 
ton,  a  ]()( 
in  Carbo 
writer  w 
time,  she 
was  in  th 


MR.    JOHN    HTKK'iiON. 


146 


/ 


The  littler  Mrtliclist  Clnnrl.  in  Jc-rsoy  was  kept  to- 
gether hy  M.  Le  Sueur  for  several  years. 

The  first  e(»rii;reiieo  appolutineiit  to  Jersey  was  in 
17«(;,M'hen  those  two  (li.srin^r.iished  nieu,  Kohert  Carr 
Hraekenbury  aud  Adam  Chu-ke,  were  sent  to  that  then 
mission  station. 

Mr.  Hraekei.hury  was  a  gentleman  of  fortnnc,  but 
became  a  Methodist  preaehi^r ;  and  the  fame  of  Dr. 
Adam  (/hirke  has  gone  through  the  world. 

]iy  the  laboi-s  of  M.  I.e  Smnir,  as  a  local  pn.aeher, 
a  p.M-son  by  the  na.ne  of  Peter  Arrive,  from  tlie  Jshmd 
of  (Juernsey,  was  brought  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth  ; 
at  whose  instance,  Mr.  Hrackenbury  went  to  that  island] 
and  was  instrumental  in  the  conversion  of  an  excellent 
young  man  named  John  De  Queteville,  who  entered  the 
ministry  in  1780,  and  labored  more  than  fifty  years. 

M.  J)e  Qu'teville  carried  Methodism  into  France  in 
the  year  1790  ;  and  although  it  had  everything  to  con- 
tend with  during  the  horrors  of  the  F,-ench  revolution, 
and  the  war  that  ensued,  yet  it  still  survived,  and, 
after  the  peace,  it  was  i  osuscitated,  and  c  ontinued  to 
J.rosper,  so  that,  in  the  year  1852,  French  Methodism 
was  organized  into  a  separate  conference.  «  In  the 
morning  sow  thy  seed,  and  in  the  evening  withhold  not 
thy  hand  ;  for  thou  knowest  not  whether  shall  prosper, 
either  this  or  that,  or  whether  they  both  shall  be  alike 
good." 

Two  years  before  Mr.  Coughlan  returned  to  England, 
Ins  heart  was  cheered  by  the  arrival  of  Mr.  John  Stret- 
ton,  a  local  preacher  from  Limerick,  who  at  first  settled 
m  Carbonear.  With  tiie  relict  of  this  gentleman,  t^e 
writer  was  very  well  acquainted  ;  and  although,  at  the 
time,  she  was  upwards  of  seventy  years  of  age,  yet  she 
was  m  the  full  Mrength  of  her  intellect,  a  woman  of  in 

13 


146 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


telUgence,  a  great  reader,  and  for  half  a  century  had 
lived  in  the  enjoyment  of  perfect  love.  Mr.  Stretton 
was  a  respectable  merchant ;  had  often,  with  his  ex- 
cellent wife,  sat  under  the  ministry  of  the  Rev.  John 
Wesley.  He  was  a  truly  pious  man,  and  for  many  years 
exercised  his  talents  as  a  local  preacher,  with  great  ac- 
ceptance to  the  people,  both  in  Ireland  and  in  New- 
foundland. He  frequently  corresponded  with  Mr. 
Wesley. 

Carbonear  is  four  miles  from  Harbor  Grace ;  and,  at 
the  time  of  which  we  are  writing,  there  was  no  road 
between  these  harbors,  so  that  it  was  only  when  the 
ground  was  frozen  that  the  Harbor-Grace  missionary 
could  visit  Carbonear  and  the  coves  down  the  bay. 
Of  these  places,  Mr.  Stretton  writes,  Oct.  29th,  1770 :  — 

"  Religion  is  scarce  to  be  found  in  this  country ;  a  few  profes- 
sors are  scattered  through  the  different  bays,  that  were  awakened 
by  the  labors  of  Mr.  Coughlan,  who  still  keeps  up  meetings  among 
them  in  the  winter  "Season,  —  the  only  time  they  have  to  spare." 

Among  those  who  had  been  brought  to  God  by  the 
ministry  of  Mr.  Coughlan,  was  Mr.  Arthur  Tliomey, 
a  respectable  Irish  merchant,  of  Harbor  Grace,  who 
became  a  local  preacher.  The  relict  of  this  gentleman 
was  also  known  to  the  writer  ;  but  only  at  the  ti.Me 
when  she  was  imbecile  from  age.  She  had  been  a 
mother  in  Israel. 

Mr.  Stretton  having  removed  from  Carbonear  to 
Harbor  Grace,  in  1771,  he,  with  Mr.  Thomey,  took 
charge  of  the  society  when  Mr.  Coughlan  left.  The 
magistrates,  who  had  been  the  enemies  of  Mr.  Cough- 
lan, thought  to  neutralize  the  labors  of  the  brethren 
Stretton  and  Tliomey,  by  opening  the  church  on  Sab- 
bath, and  one  of  themselves  reading  the  church 
prayers.     Of  this  matter.  Mi'.  Stretton  writes  :  — 


«Aft< 

upon  tb 

their  mi^ 

pure  go 

those  wl 

meet  as 

would  m 

with  this 

oppose  t 

loved  th( 

who  was 

up,  and 

dowed  w 

Wesley's 

number  i 

For  ] 

cause  oi 

week,  ii 

the  busi 

meetin" 

they  vis 

the  Scr 

the  who 

lyrood  t 

cove,  w 

whom  1: 

read,  or 

with  a 

tended  1 

sixteen 

Trinity 


it 


says : 
being  sc 
since  felt 
These 
where,  t( 


i'- 


MESSRS.    STRETTON    AND   THOMEY.  147 

« After  Mr.  Coun^hlan'H  sailing  for  Europe,  the  justices  took 

upon  them  to  read  prayers  in  the  church,  and  labored  with  all 

the.r  m.ght  to  introduce  the  dullest  formality  in  the  room  of  the 

pure  gospel  which  he  had  preached.     They  partly  succeeded: 

those  who  had  received  the  truth  under  him  had  been  wont  to 

meet  as  a  class  on  Sabbath  evenings;   but  now  their  worships 

would  not  suffer  it.     Mr.  Arthur  Thomey  and  I,  being  disquieted 

with  this  mode  of  action  on  the  part  of  the  justices,  resolved  to 

oppose  the  torrent  of  iniquity.     We  gathered  a  few  together  who 

loved  the  Lord  Jesus,  and  found  among  them  a  poor  fisherman, 

who  was  not  ashamed  of  his  heavenly  Master,  but  boldly  stood 

up,  and  spoke  in  his  name.    Mr.  Thomey  also  exhorts,  and  is  en- 

dowed  with  both  gifts  and  grace.     We  drew  up  rules  as  like  Mr. 

Wesley  s  as  we  could,  consistently  with  local  circumstances.     Our 

number  is  about  thirty,  who,  I  believe,  are  sincere  in  heart." 

For  many  years  these  faithful  men  labored  in  the 
cause  of  their  Master.     They  preached  three  times  a 
week,  m  private  houses,  during  winter :    in  summer, 
the  business  of  fishing  prevented  them  from  ha  vino-  any 
meetmgs  except  on   Sabbath.     They  met  the  classes, 
they  visited  the  sick,  they  pmyed  with  and  expounded 
the  Scriptures  from  house  to  house  ;    they  travelled 
the  whole  length  of  Conception  Bay  on  foot,  from  Ho- 
lyrood  to  Bay  de  Verd,  preaching  in  every  harbor  and 
cove,  wherever  human   beings  were  found,  many  of 
whom  had  never  heard  a  sermon  preached,  a  chapter 
read,  or  a  prayer  offered  up  to  God ;  and,  not  satisfied 
with  a  sixty-mile  circuit  in  their  own  bay,  they  ex- 
tended their  circuit,  by  crossing  the  dreary  country, 
sixteen  or  twenty  miles,  over  to  Heart's  Content,  in 
Trinity  Bay.     Of  his  visit  to  this  place  Mr.  Stretton 
says :  "  My  labors  seemed  in  vain  ;  the  people  there 
being  scarcely  removed  from  savages.      Yet   I  have 
since  felt  as  if  God  would  bless  the  seed  sown." 

These  brethren  travelled  in  company  to  St.  Johns 
where,  to  their  joy,  they  found  a  few  pious  men,  wlui 


148         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 

were  Congregatlonalists,  and  only  eight  in  number ; 
"  yet  have  they  built  a  neat  meeting-house,"  and  Mr. 
Stretton  adds  :  "  They  are  Calvinists,  but  have  '  the 
genuine  mark  of  love,'  and,  wherever  that  is  found, 
we  joyfully  give  the  right  hand  of  fellowship." 

"  Let  names  and  sects  and  parties  fall, 
And  Josus  Clu-ist  be  all  in  all." 

These  eight  poor  men  laid  the  foundation  of  the  Con- 
gregational church  in  St.  Johns,  —  a  body  of  Chris- 
tians, who,  in  after  years,  numbered  among  its  mem- 
bers, some  of  the  most  intelligent,  the  most  respectable, 
and  the  most  influential  in  the  city. 

For  about  thirteen  years  did  Messrs.  Stretton  and 
Thomey  labor  together,  when  Mr.  Thomey,  having  to 
go  to  Portugal  on  business,  landed  at  Oporto,  retired 
to  his  lodgings,  and  was  found  dead  in   the  morning.^ 

Mr.  Stretton  survived  his  friend  several  years.  He 
built  a  Methodist  chapel  at  his  own  expense,  and  gave 
it  to  the  connection ;  and  he  lived  to  see  the  object  of 
his  prayers  and  his  labors,  as  well  as  the  great  deside- 
ratum of  his  heart,  which  was,  that  Newfoundland 
should  be  permanently  occupied  as  a  mission-station,  and 
appear  regularly  on  the  minutes  of  the  conference. 
After  Mr.  Cough  Ian,  no  man  in  Newfoundland  was 
ever  more  useful  among,  or  more  beloved  by,  the  Meth- 
odist society,  or  more  respected  by  the  general  public, 
than  was  John  Stretton,  of  Harbor  Grace. 

*  Wesleyan  Methodist  Magazine,  1852,  p.  872. 


being: 


CHAPTER    IV. 

METHODISM  IN  OLD  PERLICAN  -  JOHN  HOSKINS  ARRIVES  -  WHITES  TO 
MR.  WESLEY  -  PREACHES  —  PERSECUTION  IN  TRINITY  —  JIR.  STRET- 
TON  WRITES  TO  MR.  WESLEY,  REQUESTING  A  PREACHER  — HIS  REPLY 
—  ARRIVAL'oF  JOHN  MCQEARY  —  EAKLY  METHODIST  PREACHERS  — 
JOHN  WESLEY  —  CHARLES  WESLEY  —JOHN  FLETCHER—  MINUTES  OP 
1770  —  EXPULSION  OF  SIX  OXFORD  STUDENTS  —  REV.  WALTER  SHIR- 
LEY'S CIRCULAR— CALVINISTIC  CONTROVERSY— JOSEPH  BENSON- 
ROBERT  SWINDELLS  — THOMAS  WALSH  -  THOMAS  OLIVERS  -  SAM- 
UEL BRADBURN  —  DR.  COKE. 

OLD  PERLICAN  is  on  the  south  shore  of  Trinity 
Bay,  and  about  twenty-four  miles  from  Trinity 
Harbor.     It  had  be,  settled  mostly  by  Englishmen, 
from  rural  districts, ;  -     ew  of  whom  could  read.    They 
were  poor  men,  and  had  left  their  native  land  to  better 
their  circumstances,  in  collecting  wealth  by  the  fishery 
on  the  wild  but   far-famed   coasts  of  Newfoundland. 
Only  a  few  of  them  realized  the  object  for  which  they 
crossed  the  ocean.    Their  circumstances  were  not  much 
bettered.     They  indeed  obtained  a  living,  but  for  that 
they  toiled  incessantly,  both  night  and  day,  for  six 
months  of  the  year,  and  then,  after  an  unsuccessful 
voyage,  would  often,  during  the  winter,  suffer  severely 
from  the  pinching  hand  of  poverty.     In  both  a  mental 
and  a  moral  sense  their  case  was  wretched.     Having 
no  books,  their  children  were  brought  up  in  ignorance^ 
being  situated  many  miles  from  any  mercantile  estab- 
lishment, their  families  could  not  profit  by  mixing  with 
better  informed    .eople ;    they  had  no  place  of  public 

worship,  and  the  name  of  God  was  not  heard  amon^^ 

II.'  jii  ^ 

1^*  .  (149; 


m 


'^'•1 


150 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


i- 


them,  except  in  an  oath  :  but  drunkenness  and  profligacy 
of  every  form  was  there ;  and  society  in  that  place  was 
fast  verging  to  a  state  of  downright  savageism.  They 
called  themselves  churchmen,  because  their  forefathers 
had  attended  the  Episcopal  Church  in  England ;  and, 
however  depraved  the  parents  had  been,  the  children 
made  it  their  boast ;  "^  I  am  of  the  religion  of  my 
father." 

Nothing  could  better  the  condition  of  .these  people 
but  the  gospel.  This,  and  this  alone,  could  raise  them 
fi'om  their  fallen  state ;  and,  in  the  providence  of  God, 
this  gospel,  which  is 

"  A  sovereign  balm  for  every  wound," 

was  carried  to  them  by  John  Hoskins,  a  private  indi- 
vidual, a  poor  man,  and  who,  like  the  people  among 
whom  he  labored,  had  left  the  shores  of  Britain  to  im- 
prove his  temporal  circumstances.  He  purposed  to  go 
to  New  England,  and  keep  a  school  for  a  livelihood,  but 
called  on  his  way  at  Newfoundland,  where  he  remained, 
became  the  instrument  in  the  conversion  of  many, 
and  was  the  founder  of  Methodism  in  Old  Perlican  and 
Island  Cove. 

John  Hoskins  was  brought  to  God  when  about  four- 
teen years  of  age.  and  joined  the  Methodist  society  in  the 
city  of  Bristol,  England,  in  the  year  1746,  which  was 
only  two  years  after  the  meeting  of  the  first  Methodist 
Conference.  He  was  personally  acquainted  with  Mr. 
Wesley  and  the  first  Methodist  preachers  ;  he  had  seen 
them  mobbed  and  persecuted ;  but  he  believed  Methodism 
was  of  God.  It  had  saved  him,  and  therefore  he  loved 
it ;  and  when,  in  the  order  of  Divine  Providence,  he  was 
led  to  seek  a  home  in  the  New  World,  he  brought  his 
Methodism  with  him,  which  was  made  an  incalculable 
blessing  to  the  community  among  whom  he  came  to 


reside, 
their  vi( 
hence  tl 
try  upoi 
or  talen 
persecut 
Bay. 

Mr.  J 
1774:  ] 
Newfoui 

The  c 
land,  is 
dated  01 

"  Rev.  I 
till  I  got  nn 
I  intended 
and  to  sper 
with  the  p( 
the  salvatic 

After  ] 

the  Harb 

uncultiva 

into  her  1: 

and  bread 

house  affc 

hospitality 

recommer 

which  pla 

menced  hi 

There  \ 

there  was 

religious  s 

never  seen 


MR.    IIOSKINS. 


151 


reside.  Wicked  men  hate  religion,  because  it  opposes 
their  vices,  and  lays  restraint  upon  their  evil  passions ; 
hence  the  first  preachers  of  gospel  truth,  in  every  coun- 
try upon  earth,  no  matter  what  may  be  the  character 
or  talent  of  the  preachers  themselves,  are  sure  to  suffer 
persecution.  It  was  so  with  John  Hoskins,  in  Trinity 
Bay. 

Mr.  Hoskins  left  London  in  the  month  of  March, 
1774:  he  went  down  to  Poole,  and  embarked  for 
Newfoundland. 

The  object  of  this  good  man,  in  leaving  his  native 
land,  is  clearly  expressed  in  a  letter  to  Mr.  Wesley, 
dated  Old  Perhcan,  Newfoundland,  October  15,  178l! 

Rev.  Sir,  — My  design  was  to  work  there  (in  Newfoundland), 
till  I  got  money  enough  to  pay  my  passage  to  New  England,  where 
I  mtended  to  keep  a  school  for  a  living,  to  work  out  my  salvation, 
and  to  spend  my  little  remains  of  life  (being  in  my  fifty-sixth  year) 
with  the  people  of  God,  and,  as  far  as  I  was  able,  to  help  forward 
the  salvation  of  others."  ^ 

After  five  weeks'  passage  from  Poole,  he  landed  in 
the  Harbor  of  Trinity,  which  he  called  a  "  barren  and 
uncultivated  country."  A  poor  woman  received  him 
into  her  house  ;  and  he  says  :  "  She  gave  me  some  seal 
and  bread  to  eat,  and  some  coffee  to  drink,  the  best  the 
house  afforded."  After  partaking  of  this  poor  woman's 
hospitality,  he  went  in  quest  of  employment,  and  was 
recommended  to  cross  the  bay  to  Old  Perlican,  to 
which  place  he  now  directed  his  way,  and  there  com- 
menced his  career  of  usefulness. 

There  were  then  about  fifty  families  in  Perlican  ;  but 
there  was  no  school  for  the  children,  and  no  kind  of 
religious  service  whatever.  Many  of  the  people  had 
never  seen  a  church  or  minister ;  but  their  fathers  had 

»  Arminian  Magazine,  1785,  p.  25. 


152         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


0 


I 


come  from  Eniiland,  and  had  called  themselves  church- 
men,  and  now  they  had  got  a  school-master  iVi  their 
midst,  they  thought  he  might  become  a  parson  as  well, 
and  do  for  them  what  they  had  been  told  ])arsons  did 
in  England.  This  was  just  what  Mr.  Hoskins  wished. 
He  therefore  says :  ''  I  accepted  the  invitation  to  read 
prayers,  as  a  call  from  God,  knowing  it  was  my  duty 
to  'do  all  the  eood  I  could  to  the  souls  as  well  as  the 
bodies  of  my  fellow-creatures."  His  congregation  was 
grossly  ignorant,  so  that  they  did  not  know  how  to  con- 
duct themselves :  they  would  neither  join  in  singing  nor 
kneel  with  him  in  prayer,  but  stand  and  gaze  at  him  as 
thouiih  he  were  some  other  being  than  a  mortal  man. 
On  this  he  says  :  "  My  congregation  did  not  know 
how  to  behave  in  divine  service,  no,  not  to  kneel  in 
prayer,  or  sing  at  all ;  but  would  stand  at  a  distance,  and 
look  at  me,  as  if  I  had  been  a  monster ;  and  yet  they 
call  themselves  of  the  Church  of  England." 

In  conductino;  divine  service,  he  read  the  Church  of 
England  prayers,  he  sang  Mr.  Wesley's  hymns,  and  he 
read  Mr.  Wesley's  sermons.  After  a  time,  he  began 
to  explain  some  parts  of  the  Prayer-Book,  then  to 
speak  to  the  peo])le  about  experimental  religion,  as  re- 
pentance, remission  of  sins,  and  holiness,  and  insisted 
on  the  necessity  of  conversion.  Some  were  soon  awak- 
ened, began  to  kneel  in  prayer,  and  lielp  him  to  sing, 
and  evinced  "  a  desire  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to  come, 
and  be  saved  from  their  sins  ; "  and  with  sixteen  such 
persons,  did  Mr.  Hoskins  form  the  first  Methodist  soci- 
ety in  that  part  of  Newfoundland. 

In  the  year  1778-9,  a  great  revival  commenced  In 
Old  Perlican,  when  many  were  awakened,  many  were 
bronsht  into  the  favor  of  God,  and  a  religious  influence 
was  felt  through  the  whole  population.     The  r  ext  year, 


1780,  tl 

what  ha 

came  to 

awakenc 

friends  i 

done  foi 

tlie  Lore 

Cove,    c 

Mienced  i 

came  per 

In  Isli 

Thomey, 

and  came 

ing,  whil 

a  party  c 

they  wou 

up  to  Mr 

missed   tl 

friends  n 

them  out 

they  folio 

his  friendi 

In  Perl 

firm  of  L( 

but  this  w 

from  his 

the  montl: 

with  an  ir 

chants  the 

would  not 

in.     He,  1 

them,  and 

now  call  tl 

ing  in  Tri 


MR.    HOSKINS. 


153 


1780,  the  work  spread  over  to  Island   Cove.     ......„„ 

vvl.at  had  taken  place  in  Perllcan,  five  or  six  persons 
came  to  see  for  themselves.  While  there,  they  were 
avvakened,  found  religion,  and  went  home  to  tell  their 
friends  in  Island  Cove  what  great  things  the  Loi-d  had 
done  for  them.  Many  listened  to  them,  and  sought 
the  Lord  ;  so  that  a  society  was  formed,  also,  in  Isla'iid 
Cove,  consisting  of  thirty  members,  who  soon  com- 
Mienced  the  erection  of  a  Methodist  church.  But  now 
came  persecution. 

In  Island  Cove,  our  .society  sent  up  the  bay  for  Mr 
Thomey,  who  cheerfully  complied  with  the  invitation,' 
and  came  down  to  preach  to  the  people.  But  one  even- 
ing, while  he  was  preaching  in  our  unfinished  church, 
a  party  c:  men,  armed  with  clubs,  entered,  and  swore 
they  would  kill  him.  One  of  the  party  went  directly 
up  to  Mr.  Thomey,  and  made  a  blow  at  his  head ;  he 
missed  the  man,  but  struck  the  candlestick.  The 
friends  now  got  between  him  and  his  enemies,  and  put 
them  out  of  the  building.  After  the  meeting  was  over, 
they  followed  him,  and  again  attempted  his  life  ;  but 
his  friends  again  interfered,  and  he  escaped  unhurt. 

In  Perlican,  a  young  man  in  the  employment  of  the 
firm  of  Lester,  of  Trinity,  found  "peace  with  God  ;  " 
but  this  was  a  crime,  and  his  superior   dismissed  him 
from  his  employment,  and  sent  him  to  England.     In 
the  month  of  August,  Mr.   Hoskins  went  tt   Trinity, 
with  an  intent  to  preach  to  the  people  ;  but  the  mer- 
chants there,  all  of  whom  called  themselves  churchmen, 
would  not  allow  a  house  to  be  opened  for  him  to  preach 
in.     He,  however,  visited  several  families,  prayed  with 
them,  and  gave  them  some  little  books.     Tracts,  as  we 
now  call  them,  were  not  then  known.       After  remain- 
ing in  Trinity  some   days,  and    not   being   allowed  to 


I'A         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    IT8    MISSIONARIES. 

preach  tliorc,  he  i)rei)Mr('(l  to  return,  and  went  to  ask 
one  of  the  merchants  tor  a  passajre  in  one  of  his  boats 
to  PerHcan.  Tlie  ck»rk  toKl  him  that  his  cmi)h)yer 
was  on  board  one  of  the  ships.  Mr.  lloskins  went  to 
tlie  vessel,  and,  as  soon  as  lie  jrotupon  tlie  deck,  one  of 
the8aih)rs  said  to  liini,  sarcastically, ''  Will  you  preach  us 
a  sernu)n  ?  "  atul  innni'diately  daubed  his  face  with  a  tar- 
brush full  of  tar.  Some  more  sailors  laid  hold,  and 
held  him,  while  others  almost  covered  him  with  tar. 
The  captain  of  the  vessel  aiul  the  honorable  Trinity 
merchant  were  in  the  cabin  at  the  time,  and  the  only 
notice  they  took  of  it  was  a  remark  from  the  Trinity 
nabob  to  this  ert'ect :  "  If  they  had  asked  iwe,  I  would 
have  given  them  feathers  to  have  feathered  him  all 
over,"  —  a  memorable  saying  for  a  Newfoundland  mer- 
chant. Thank  Ood,  there  are  no  such  merchants  there 
now.  When  Mr.  lloskins  lefb  the  vessel,  one  of  the 
men  threw  a  stick  of  wood  after  him,  which  missed 
him  ;  but  it  was  accompanied  with  an  oath,  "  When 
we  see  you  ashore,  we  will  make  an  end  of  you." 
The  next  day  some  of  the  sailors  went  asliore  to  look 
for  him,  one  of  whom  had  a  knotted  rope  in  his  hand 
to  beat  the  preacher  or  any  of  his  converts.  The  man 
with  the  knotted  rope,  probably  under  the  effects  of  liq- 
uor, hiy  down  and  fell  asleep,  and,  while  he  was  in 
that  state,  Mv.  lloskins  passed  him  unhurt.  Not  so 
with  an  individual,  who,  to  the  man  on  his  awaking, 
was  pointed  out  as  one  of  the  Hoskinites.  The  drunken 
sailor  took  hold  of  the  poor  man,  and  beat  him  severely, 
althouiih  he  assured  him  that  he  was  not  a  convert, 
nor  was  he  frcnn  Old  Perlican,  but  from  English  Har- 
bor ;  and  as  though  they  wished  to  destroy  his  life,  the 
merchants  interdicted  their  skippers  of  boats  from  taking 
Mr.  lloskins  out  of  the  place.     A  friend,  however,  from 


Old  Perl 

the  bay  l\ 

lint  on 

into  silen 

again.     A 

but  no  cl 

etyfbr  tlu 

who  was  I 

bath  afteri 

from  iujusi 

a  notice,  t 

would  pre 

eleven  o'cl 

and  about 

read  prayc 

hymn,  the 

came  and  t( 

"  By  wlia 

He  took  01 

ty."     The 

him  from  j 

in  the   hai 

spoke  kind 

for  there  w 

proposed  tc 

ished  the  r 

lodged  you 

opened  for 

])rotected  fi 

places  visit( 

''  profit  the] 

in  that  harl 

ence  that  i 

means  of  sa 


I  *, 


MR.     IIOSKINS. 


01(1    PcM'l 


l( 


ail,  carno,  as  by  stealth,  and  took  him 


155 


over 


MS  persecutors. 


the  hny  iioin  tlie  hands  of  I 

But  our  Clhristian  hero  was  not  thus  to  bo  terrified 
into  silence  ;  for  the  next  summer  ho  visited  Trinity 
again.     At  tliat  time  there  was  a  church  in  Trinity, 
but  no  chv^yunm.     One  of  the  r.'adcrs  of  the    Soci- 
ety for  the  Tropauation  of  the  G()sj)el  in  Foreign  Parts, 
who  was  a  fisherman,  sometimes  read  prayers^on  Sab- 
bath afternoon.     Mr.  Hoskins  now  visited  the  people, 
from  house  to  house,  and  on  Saturday  afternoon  i)ut  up 
a  notice,  that,  if  there  were  no  service  in  the  church,  he 
would  preach  in  the    church-yard  on  the  Sabbath  at 
eleven  o'clock.     To  annoy  hiui,  the  flag  was  hauled  up, 
and  about  six  persons  came,  but  there  was  no  one  to 
read  prayers.     He  went  outside,  gave  out  and  sung  a 
hymn,  then  kneeled  down   to  pray,  when  a  constable 
came  and  took  him  before  the  magistrate,  who  demanded, 
"  By  what  authority  do  you    go  about  preaching  ?  " 
He  took  out  his  Bible,  and  said,  "  That  is  my  authori- 
ty."    The  magistrate  said  he  did  not  wish  to  hinder 
him  from  preaching  on  Rider's  Hill,  or  anywhere  else 
in  the  harbor,  providing  there  were  no  riots.       He 
spoke  kindly  to  him,  told  him  to  take  care  of  himself, 
for  there  were  some  sailors  and  other  rude  fellows,  who 
proposed  to  abuse  him  ;  and  added  "  I  would  have  pun- 
ished the  men  who  abused  you  last  year,  if  you  had 
lodged  your  complaint  to  me."      A  "house  was   now 
opened  for  him  to  preach  in,  and  he  was  henceforth 
l)rotected  from  lawless  mobs.     In  Trinity,  as  in   other 
places  visited  by  John  Hoskins,  did  the  word  preached 
1^  profit  them  that  heard  it ;  "  and  while  we  admit  that 
in  that  harbor  it  has  not  had  the  same  leavening  influ- 
ence that  it  had  in   Old  Perlican,  yet  it  has  been  the 
means  of  salvation  to  many  in  that  place,  and,  by  the 


I 


'/a 


156         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

grace  of  God,  Methodism  still  lives  there  and  prospers. 
Mrs.  Elizabeth  Lock,  whose  name  we  have  mentioned 
before,  well  remembered  when  Mr.  Hoskins  arrived: 
she  heard  his  first  sermon,  and  was  present  at  his  first 
class-meeting.  Several  other  persons  were  known  to 
the  writer,  who  were  acquainted  with  Mr.  Hoskins  ; 
and  among  them  we  might  name  those  then  aged  dis- 
ciples, Messrs.  Gooby,  Snelgrove,  and  Green.  Mr. 
Green  possessed  some  poetical  genius.  He  had  been 
converteTl  under  the  preaching  of  John  Hoskins  :  he 
cherished  his  memory,  and  would  often  speak  of  his 
•labors,  his  persecutions,  his  success,  and  his  peaceful 
end.  To  his  spiritual  father  he  would  apply  the  fol- 
lowing lines :  — 

"  From  softest  boyhood  to  extreme  old  age, 
Pursued  the  way  that  led  to  endless  rest ; 
And,  ripening  to  his  exit, 
Left  in  peace." 

The  society  which  Mr.  Hoskins  formed  in  Old  Per- 
lican  was  called  Hoskinites  by  their  enemies ;  and 
sometimes  the  cognomen  Swaddler,  imported  from  Ire- 
land, was  shouted,  as  the  members  went  or  returned 
from  their  religious  meetings. 

Although  Mr.  Hoskins  was  very  careful  to  read  all 
the  prayers  appointed  in  the  Rubric,  yet  singing  hymns, 
reading  Wesley's  sermons,  and  talking  to  the  people 
about  **  repentance  and  faith  and  pardon  and  holi- 
ness, were,  they  understood,  subjects  that  the  parsons 
in  England  seldom  or  never  named!  This  man, 
therefore,  could  not  be  a  churchman  ;  and  hence  they 
would  curse  him  as  an  enemy  to  the  religion  of  their 
fathers.  But  God  continued  to  bless  his  labors,  and 
many  sinners  were  converted,  both  in  Perlican  and  in 
Island  Cove.     In  the  former  place,  in  particular,  the 


con| 
was  sii^ 

Methodi 

buildino 

ship  Go( 

chapel  1 

on  the  c 

Hoskins 

when  h( 

him  sove 

Thus 

ent  part{ 

the  care 

other  in 

kins.     T 

about  fift 

The  ei 

with  eve 

of  Methc 

every  W 

which  ha! 

only  a  pa 

times  nai 

Hoskins, 

and  local 

Old  Peril 

pel  to  the 

Trinity  E 

torians  an( 

But  the 

honor  whi 

ferred  upo 

ing  as  etei 


PIONEERS    or   MlffHODISM. 


fbcreased,  so  thi 


157 


lat  no  house  in  the  harbor 
wa«  su^iently  large   to  contain  the  people.     A  small 
Methodist  chapel  was  therefore  erected,-a  plain,  rough 
building,  in  which  the  congregation  continued  to  wiTr- 
ship  God  for  nearly  fifty  years.     The  ruins  of  this  old 
chapel  the  writer  well  remembers  to  have  seen  when 
on  the  circuit  in  1821.     At  that  time,  the  son  of  Mr. 
Hosknis  was   living,  who  was  about   fifteen  years  old 
when  he  came  with  his  father  to  Perlican  ;  'and  from 
him  several  particulars  in  this  narrative  were  obtained. 
Thus  there  were  two  bodies  of  Methodists  in  differ- 
ent parts  of  the  island,  — one  in  Harbor  Grace,  under 
the  care  of  John  Stretton  and  Arthur  Thomey  ;  the 
other  in  Old  Perlican,  under  the  care  of  John   Hos- 
kins.     The  distance  of  these  places  from  each  other  is 
about  fifty  miles. 

The  emigration  of  Philip  Embury  to   New  York, 
with  every  particular  connected  with  the  introduction 
of  Methodism  into  the  United  States,  is  detailed  in 
every  Vv'esleyan  history  extant ;    but   Newfoundland, 
which  has  a  prior  claim  as  Methodist  ground,  r-ceives 
only  a  passing  notice.     Lawrence  Coughlan  is  some- 
times  named ;  John  Stretton,  very  seldom ;  but  John 
Hoskins,  the  humble,  pious,  and  faithful  school-master 
and  local  preacher,  who  first  taught  the  children  in 
Old  Perlican  to  read,  and  who  first  preached  the  gos- 
pel to  the  destitute  fishermen  on  the  rough  shores'  of 
Trinity  Bay,  seems  to  have  been  unknown  to  our  his- 
torians and  annalists. 

But  these  were  the  pioneers  of  Methodism ;  and  the 
honor  which  the  Great  Head  of  the  Church  thus  con- 
ferred upon  them  sh-dl  not  pass  away  :  it  shall  be  last- 
ing as  eternity ;  for,  "  they  that  be  wise  shall  shine  as 

14 


I 


158 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


the  brightness  of  the  firmament,  aiul  thcv  that  turn 
many  to  rio-liteousness  as  the  stars  forever  anil  ever." 


Mr.  Stretton 


was  en(iai2:e 


d  in   his  mercantile  atfairs. 


which  required  his  whole  attention  during  the  week; 
and  Mr.  Hoskins  could  not  leave  his  school  to  itiner- 
ate beyond  the  village.  Beside  which,  Popery  was 
establish  in  t]j  itself  in  Harbor  Grace  and  other  parts  of 
Corception  Bay  ;  and  there  was  great  danger  of  the 
Protestants  I  ;ing  drawn  away  by  its  mummeries. 
After  thinking,  and  doubtless  praying,  over  these  mat- 
ters for  some  time,  Mr.  Stretton  determined  to  put 
himself  in  correspondence  with  Mr.  Wesley,  and,  if 
possible,  get  a  regular  preacher  sent  out  as  a  missionary 
to  Newfoundland.  In  this  letter,  he  said  :  *'  The  work 
is  at  a  stand  here,  and  superstition  and  protaneness 
increasing  ;  we  want  one  given  wholly  to  the  work.  A 
preacher  should  not  be  entangled  with  the  affairs  of 
this  life.  It  has  not  been  the  desire  of  getting  rich 
that  has  kept  me  here  ;  but  I  have  been  waiting  to  see 
the  motion  of  the  incumbent  cloud,  and  dare  not  desert 
my  post  until  lawfully  discharged.  Single  and  alone, 
the  Lord  has  enabled  me  to  withstand  the  whole  place 
where  I  dwell ;  and  I  am  st'll  preserved  by  the  power 
of  God." 

Again  he  says  :  "  Whoever  seeks  ease  or  comfort  is 
not  likely  to  meet  much  of  it  in  this  island.  Blessed  be 
God,  who  has  so  wonderfully  kept  and  supported  me 
for  many  years  in  this  dreary  region  !  When  I  have 
been  weak,  then  was  I  strong."  ^ 

The  above  was  partly  written  to  Mr.  Wesley  direct, 
and  partly  to  a  friend  who  seems  to  have  made  known 
the  contents  of  the  letter  to  him. 

•  '-- 

^  Wesleyan  Meihodist  Magazine,  1851,  p.  872. 


A  r( 

which 
shown 
1826. 

"Myi 

needless 
heard  frc 
for  souio 
They  tru 
lower  of 
"If  thi 
upon  you 
to  preven 
from  Enr 
ince  of  A 
to  which 
as  by  one 
such   past 
through  tl 
in  Nova  !; 
who  will  1 
and  desiri 
brethren  a 
likewise, 
heavenly  '. 
provide. 
Your  pre 
Lord,  and 
ance  that 

"  To  Mr. , 

Dr.  C( 
to  Englai 
at  the  c 
promise  1 
on  the  II 
well  wer 


LETTER   FROM    MR.    WESLEY. 


159 


A  reply  was  sent  by  Mr.  Wesley,  tli 


.  ^        -  autograph  of 

which  the  writer  had  tlie  pleasure  of  reading.  It  was 
shown  to  him  by  Mrs.  Stretton,  in  Harbor^Grace,  in 
182G.     It  reads  thus :  — 

"  LoNiM)N,  Fob.  25,  1785. 
"  My  dkar  Brother,  -You  did  well  in  breaking,  throufr],  that 
needless  .lididence :  if  yon  had  wrote  soouer,  you  would  have 
heard  from  me  sooner.  Although  I  have  not  been  at  Limerick 
for  some  yea.-s,  yet  I  remember  your  father  and  mother  well. 
They  truly  feared  God  when  I  conversed  with  them.  Ba  a  fol- 
lower of  them,  as  they  of  Christ. 

"  If  that  deadly  enemy  of  true  religion,  f  opery,  is  breaking  in 
upon  you,  there  is  indeed  no  time  to  be  lost ;  for  it  is  far  easier 
to  prevent  the  plague  than  stop  it.     Last  autumn,  Dr.  Coke  sailed 
from  England,  and  is  now  visiting  the  floek  in  <ue  midland  prov- 
ince of  America,  and  settling  them  on  the  Ne     T^atam  nt  plan, 
to  which  they  all  willingly  and  joyfully  confor.n,    -ing  a-i  united 
as  by  one  spirit,  so  in  one  body.     I  trust  they  m''  tv^K^re  want 
such   pastors   as  after   (iod's  own   heart.     After  he   has  gone 
through  these  parts,  he  intends  (if  God  permit)  to  see  the  brethren 
in  xVova  Scotia,  probably  attended  with  one  or  two  able  preachers, 
who  will  be  willing  to  abide  there.     A  day  or  two  ago,  I  wrote' 
and  desired  him,  before  he  returns  to  England,  to  caU  upon  our 
brethren  also  in  Newfoundland,  and  perhaps  leave  a  preacher  there 
hkewise.    About  food  and  raiment,  we  take  no  thought      Our 
heavenly  Father  knoweth  that  we  need  these  things,  and  he  will 
provide.     Only  let  us  be  faithful  and  diligent  in  fec^ding  his  flock. 
Your   preacher  will    be   ordained.     Go  on,  in  the  name  of  the 
Lord,  and  in  the  power  of  his  migho.^  You  shall  want  no  assist- 
ance that  is  in  the  power  of  your  affectionate  friend  and  brother, 

"  John  Wesley. 
"  To  Mr.  John  Stretton,  in  Harbor  Grace,  Newfoundland." 

Dr.  Coke  did  not  call  at  Newfoundland  on  his  way 
to  England,  as  he  had  no  preacher  to  leave  there ;  but, 
at  the  conference,  Mr.  Wesley  fully  redeemed  his 
promise  to  Mr.  Stretton  ;  for  Newfoundland  was  placed 
on  the  minutes,  and  John  McGeary  and  James  Crom- 
well were  appointed  as  the  preachers.     James  Crom- 


160 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


well  never  came ;  but  John  McGeary  left  England  soon 
after  the  confcrenee,  and  arrived  early  in  the  autumn. 
Of  this  event,  Mr.  Stretton  takes  the  following  notice 
in  a  letter  to  a  friend : — 

"  In  October,  1 785,  a  preacher  arrived  here  from  London,  sent 
by  Mr.  Wesley.  His  name  is  John  McGeary,  —  a  good  man  and  a 
good  preacher :  I  hope  he  will  prove  a  blessing  to  this  place." 

Synclironical  with  the  preaching  of  Philip  Embury, 
Richard  Boardman,  and  Joseph  Pilmoor  to  the  sparse 
and  destitute  settlers  on  the  American  continent,  and 
the  labors  of  Lawrence  Coughlan,  John  Stretton,  and 
John  Hoskins,  on  the  shores  of  Newfoundland,  some  of 
the  mightiest  minds  that  our  own  or  any  other  church 
has  ever  produced  were  actively  ergaged  in  investigat- 
ing the  theory  of,  and  organizing  a  system  of  discipline 
for,  Methodism,  that  should  place  it  in  a  high  position 
among  Protestant  churches,  and  give  it  a  stand  and  a 
reputation  that  no  one  had  imagined. 

John  Wesley,  our  venerable  founder,  was  then  in  his 
prime,  and  in  the  full  strength  of  his  mature  judgment. 
He  was  evidently  raised  up,  by  the  providence  of  God, 
to  enlighten  the  nations  of  Christendom,  and  to  revive, 
enforce,  and  defend  the  pure  apostolic  doctrines  and 
practices  of  the  primitive  church.  In  learning  and 
sincere  piety,  scarcely  inferior  to  any.  In  zeal,  minis- 
terial labors,  and  extensive!  usefulness,  superior,  perhaps, 
to  all  men,  since  the  days  of  Saint  Paul.  Regardless 
of  fatigue,  personal  danger,  and  disgrace,  he  went  out 
into  the  highways  and  hedges,  calling  sinners  to  repent- 
ance, and  publishing  the  Gospel  of  Peace. 


was,  ^* 


good 


CONCEPTION    BAY. 


161 


He  was 
sixty-five  years 
in  the  ministry,  and 
fifty-two  an  itinerant  prea(;her. 
He  lived  to  see,  in  three  kingdoms  only, 
about  three  hundred  itinerant  and  one  thousand 
local  preachers,  raised  up  from  the  midst  of  his  own  people, 
and  eighty  thousand  persons  in  the  societies  under 
his  care.     His  name  will  be  ever  had  in  grate- 
ful remembrance  by  all  who  rejoice  in 
the  universal  speed  of 
the  Gospel  of 
Christ. 

SOLI   DEO   GLORIA.' 

As  Mr.  Wesley  lived,  so  he  died,  in  tlie  favor  of  God. 
One  of  his  dying  expressions,  repeated  again  and  Win, 
was,  -  The  best  of  all  is,  God  is  with  us  !  "  *'  How 
necessary,"  said  the  dying  saint,  ''  it  is  for  every  one 
to  be  on  a  right  foundation." 

"  I  the  chief  of  sinners  am ; 
But  Jesus  died  for  me." 

A  little  wliile  before  he  expired,  he  broke  out  in  a 
manner  which  astonished  all  present,  in  these  words :  — 

"  I'll  praise  my  Maker  while  I've  breath ; 
And  when  my  voice  is  lost  in  death, 

Praise  shall  employ  my  nobler  powers  : 
My  days  of  praise  shall  ne'er  be  past, 
While  life,  and  tliought,  and  being  last, 

Or  immortality  endures." 

Charles  Wesley,  the  poet  of  Methodism,  who  com- 
posed six  hundred  and  twenty-five  out  of  the  seven 
hundred  and  sixty-nine  hymns  found  in  the  Methodist 
hf  mn-book.  The  poetry  of  these  hymns  is  pure  :  the 
theology  is  perfectly  evangelical.  Dr.  Watts  was  a 
good  poet,  and  many  of  his  compositions  are  fine,  and 

»  Epitaph  upon  a  marble  tablet  in  the  City-Road  Chapel 
14*  ^   ' 


162 


nkwkoundi.antj  and  its  mission auies. 


truly  (Icvotloniil ;  but  in  tlu>  ricliiK'ss  of  ovanf^dlcal 
Hontiinont,  in  (Ici'j)  rclioions  t>.\'|H>ric'noo,  as  well  as  in 
varioty  of  nictrcs  and  in  tlio  ^vnoral  construction  of 
verso,  he  nnist  yield  to  Charles  Wesley.  Tliat  this  is 
the  view  of  tlio  Christian  j)ubHc  is  evident,  from  the 
fact,  that  scarcely  a  collection  of  liymns  is  used  by  aiiv 
evan«j;elical  church  wlierever  the  EnHisli  lan2ua<^o  is 
spoken,  but  a  considerable  number  of  his  compositions 
are  embodied,  and  are  admired  by  the  spiritually 
minded. 

Every  important  doctrine  of  Holy  Scripture,  every 
decree  of  sj)iritual  experience,  almost  every  shade  of 
religious  thought  and  feeling,  and  nearly  every  ordi- 
nary'relation  and  incident  of  human  lite,  are  treated  in 
his  abundant  and  twer-varying  verse.  No  poet  sur- 
passes him  in  the  variety  of  his  themes.  Rarely  can 
any  man  open  his  volumes  without  finding  something 
apposite  to  his  own  moods  and  wants. 

"  The  soul  of  Charles  Wesley  was  imbued  with  poetic 
genius.  His  thoughts  seemed  to  bask  and  revel  in 
rhythm.  The  variety  of  his  metres  (said  to  be 
unequalled  by  any  English  writer  wliatever)  shows 
how  impulsive  were  his  pathetic  emotions,  and  how 
wonderful  his  facility  in  their  spontaneous  utterance. 
There  are  twenty-six  different  metres  in  the  Wesleyan 
Hymn-Book.  They  march,  at  times,  like  lengthened 
processions,  with  solemn  grandeur;  they  sweep,  at 
other  times,  like  chariots  of  fire  through  the  heavens : 
they  are  broken,  like  tlu  sobs  of  grief  at  the  grave- 
side ;  play  like  the  joyful  affections  of  childhood 
at  the  hearth,  or  shout  like  victors  in  the  fray  of  the 
battle-field.  No  man  ever  surpassed  Charles  Wesley 
in  harmonies  of  languaije. 


tt  TT 


iiC  i 


lever  seems  to  labor  in  his  poetic  compositions. 


CHARLES    WESLEY. 


163 


The  reader  fools  tlmt  tliey  were  iiocessary  utterances  of 
a  heart  [)ali)itating  with  emotion  and  music.  No  words 
seem  to  be  put  in  for  effect ;  but  effective  phrases,  brief, 
8urprisin<r,  incapable  of  improvement,  are  continually 
and  spontaneously  occurring,  like  lightninrr,  revealing 
for  a  moment  the  whole  hemisphere.  His  language  is 
never  tumid ;  the  most  and  the  least  cultivated  minds 
appreciate  him  with  surprised  delight :  his  metaphors, 
abundant  and  vivid,  are  never  far-fetched,  and  his 
rhymes  arc  never  constrained."  ^  The  M(^thodi8t 
Hymn-Book  is  an  invaluable  treasure. 

The  passing  events  of  life,  and  even  social  gatherings, 
were  improved  by  him  in  his  soul-stirring  lyrics.  We 
shall  give,  as  an  example,  that  beautiful  hymn  found  on 
page  455,  composed  and  sung  by  him  at  a  teorfarty  ;  — 

"  How  happy  arc  we, 

Who  in  Jesus  agree, 
To  expect  liis  return  from  above  I 

We  sit  under  his  vine. 

And  delightfully  join 
In  the  praise  of  his  excellent  love. 

"  How  pleasant  and  sweet, 

In  his  name  when  we  meet, 
Is  his  fruit  to  our  spiritual  taste  I 

We  are  banqueting  here 

On  angelical  cheer. 
And  the  joys  that  eternally  last.  * 

"  Invited  by  him, 

Wo  drink  of  the  stream 
Ever  flowing  in  bliss  from  the  throne : 

Who  in  Jesus  believe, 

We  the  spirit  receive 
That  proceeds  from  the  Father  and  Son. 


»  Stevens'  History,  vol.  ii.  p.  497. 


164         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 

"  Conic,  Loitl  from  the  skioa, 

And  conuniiiKl  us  to  rise, 
Ready  miulo  for  the  inansionH  iibovo; 

With  our  lleud  to  ascend, 

And  eternity  spend 
Id  a  rapture  of  heavenly  love." 

Poetry  was  in  the  soul  of  Charles  Wesley  until  his 
heart  ceased  to  beat.  When  so  ill  that  he  could  not 
use  a  pen,  he  called  Mrs.  Wesley  to  him,  and  dictated 
the  followino;  lines  :  — 

"  In  age  and  feebleness  extreme, 
Who  shall  a  sinful  worm  redeem  '{ 
Jesus,  my  only  hope  thou  art, 
Sti-ength  of  my  failing  flesli  and  heart ; 
Oh,  let  me  catch  one  smile  from  thee, 
And  drop  into  eternity." 

John  Fletcher,  the  pious  vicar  of  Madeley,  was  at  that 
time  engaged  in  his  defence  of  Wesley  on  Theology.  The 
peculiar  teaching  of  Calvinism  is  to  limit  the  blessings 
of  gospel  salvation  to  part  of  the  human  race  ;  and  to 
say  of  the  other  part,  that,  from  eternity,  they  were 
doomed  to  eternal  death  ;  or,  as  it  is  sometimes  modified, 
they  are  passed  hy  in  the  plan  of  redemption,  and  left 
to  perish  in  their  sins  without  any  hope.     On  the  other 
hand,  it  is  the  mission  of  the  Metliodist  Church  to  de- 
clare   that   the   Son  of   God  assumed  human  nature, 
"  that  he,  by  the  grace  of  God,  should  taste  death  for 
every  man;'''  and  to  preach  a  free  and  a  full  salva- 
tion to  all.     These  opposing  views  were  sure  to  come 
in  contact,  which  they  did,  in  a  remarkable  manner,  by 
the   publication    of  the   conference   minutes    of  1770. 
These  minutes  contained  the  views  of  the  preachers  on 
this  subject,  presented  in  the  form  of  a  series  of  detached 
propositions  drawn  up  for  their  use  and  guidance.     That 
the  reader  may  understand  this  matter,  we  will  make 


CONFERENCE    MINUTES, 


165 


the  extract,  from  tlie  minute  in  question.     In  the  con- 
ference of  1770,  it  was  asked  :  — 

QuKST.  28.  "  What  can  be  done  to  revive  the  work  of  God 
where  it  is  decayed  ? 
"  Ans.  6.  Take  liced  to  your  doctrine. 

"  We  said,  in  1744,  '  We  have  leaned  too  much  toward  Calvin- 
ism.' Wherein  ? 

"  1 .  With  regard  f  o  man's  faithfulness.  Our  Lord  himself  taught 
us  to  use  the  expression  ;  and  we  ought  never  to  be  ashamed  of  it. 
We  ought  steadily  to  assert,  on  his  authority,  that  if  a  man  is  not 
♦faithful  in  the  unrighteous  mammon,'  God  will  not  give  Mm  the 
true  riches. 

«  2.  With  regard  to  walking  for  life.  This  also  our  Lord  has 
ex[)ressly  commanded  us:  ♦  Labor  (ergazesthe)  literally,  work 
tor  the  meat  that  endureth  to  everlasting  life.'  And,  in  fact, 
every  believer,  till  he  come  to  glory,  works  for  as  well  as  from 
life.  *^ 

"  3.  We  have  received  as  a  maxim,  that  a  man  is  to  do  nothing 
in  order  to  justification.  Nothing  can  be  more  false.  Whoever 
desires  to  find  favor  with  God  should  '  cease  from  evil,  and  learn 
to  do  well.'  Whoever  repents  should  do  « works  meet  for  re- 
pentance.' And  if  this  is  not  in  order  to  find  favor,  what  does  he 
do  them  for  ? 

"  Review  the  whole  affair. 

"  1;  Who  of  us  is  now  accepted  of  God  ? 

"He  that  now  believes  in  Christ,  with  a  loving  and  obedient 
heart. 

•'  2.  But  who  among  those  who  never  heard  of  Christ  ? 

"  He  that  feareth  God,  and  worketh  righteousness  according  to 
the  light  he  has. 

"'  3.  Is  this  the  same  with  he  that  is  sincere  ? 

"  Nearly,  if  not  quite. 

"  4.   Is  not  this  salvation  by  works  ? 

"  Not  by  the  merit  of  works,  but  by  works  as  a  condition. 

"  5.  What  have  we  then  been  disputing  about  for  these  thir- 
ty years  ? 

"  I  am  afraid,  about  words. 

"  6.  As  to  merit  itself,  of  which  we  have  been  so  dreadfully 
afraid :  we  are  rewarded  '  according  to  our  works : '  yea, '  because 
of  our  works.'     How  does  this  differ  from,  for  the  sake  of  our 


166         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


works?  And  how  (lifTen  this  from  sectmdum  merita  operumf 
as  our  works  deserve?  Can  you  split  this  hair  ?  I  doubt  I  can- 
not. 

"  7.  The  grand  obj^ruon  to  one  of  the  precedino;  propositions 
is  drawn  from  matter  of  fact.  God  does,  in  fact,  justify  those  who 
by  their  own  confession  neitlier  feared  God  nor  wrought  righteous- 
ness.   Is  this  an  exception  to  ihe  general  rule  ? 

"  It  is  a  doubt  whether  God  makes  any  exception  at  all.  But 
are  we  sure  that  the  person  in  question  never  did  fear  God  and 
work  righteousness?  His  own  saying  so  is  not  proof :  for  we 
know  how  all  that  are  convinced  of  sin  undervalue  themselves 
in  every  respect. 

"  8.  Does  not  talking  of  a  justified  or  a  sai.ctified  state  tend 
to  mislead  men,  —  almost  naturally  leading  them  to  trust  in  wh -t 
was  done  in  one  moment  ?  Wheteas  we  are  ever  hour  and  overy 
moment  pleasing  or  displeasing  to  God,  '  according  to  our  works,'-— 
according  to  tiiie  whole  oi  our  inward  tempers  and  our  outwa:  ' 
behavior."  ' 

Had  Mr.  Wesley  I)f3en  ^-'r'ting  at  this  time  an  article 
on  Metliociist  theology,  for  popular  use,  he  would  have 
been  more  particular,  and  {expressed  his  meaning  more 
at  large.  But  that  was  not  the  object  of  the  minutes : 
they  were  drawn  up  to  guard  the  evangelical  doctrine 
of  salviidon  by  grace,  as  preached  by  the  conference, 
from  Anilnoniian  abuses.  It  was  unkind  to  pervert 
them.  But  so  it  was.  Lady  Huntingdon  was  the 
leading  mind,  and  was  said  to  be  the  head  of  the  Cal- 
vinistic  clergy  of  the  day.  She  was  a  good  woman ; 
and  she  employed  her  influence,  her  talents,  and  her 
fortune  in  the  cause  of  religion.  A  little  before  this, 
six  students  of  St.  Edmund's  Hall,  Oxford,  were  cited 
to  appear  before  the  proper  authorities,  for  holding  Meth- 
odutic  tenets,  a7id  taking  rqjon  them  to  prat/,  read,  and 
expoimd  the  Scriptures,  in  private  houses.  Dr.  Dixon, 
principal  of  St.  Edmund's,  defended  the  accused  stu- 
dents from,  the  Thirty-nine  Articles,  and  spoke  in  ilia 


highesj 

his  mo 

were  e: 

This 

fr'om  c( 

Sc'iptu 

people 

Her 

most  kt 

Wales, 

expecte 

Of  the 

|)i'esidei 

The  : 

hyper-C 

withstar 

raised  a 

ference. 

Hall,  sh 

the  obn( 

Her  wr 

his  pietj! 

superior 

with  Mr 

a  certific 

his  perse 

teach. 

the  colle 

which  w 

Not  sa 

vecca  C( 

anti-Wes 

where  tl 

which  sh 


LADY    HUNTINGDON. 


167 


i 


highest  terms  of  their  piety  and  exemplary  lives ;  but 
his  motion  for  tlieir  acquittal  was  overruled,  and  'they 
were  expelled. 

This  monstrous  act  of  expelling  young  clergymen 
from  college,  for  reading,  praying,  and  expounding  the 
Sc'jptures,  produced  a  great  sensation  among  religious 
people  throughout  the  country. 

Her  ladyship,  who  was   a  church-woman,  felt  this 
most  keenly  ;  and  she  opened  her  college  at  Trevecca,  in 
Wales,  for  young  clerical  students,  where  it  was  not 
expected  similar  circumstances  would  ever  transpire. 
Of  the  Trevecca  college,  the  Rev.  John  Fletcher  was 
president,  and  the  Rev.  Joseph  Benson  was  head  master. 
The  minute  of  conference  did  not  accord  with  the 
hyper-Calvinistic  views  of  Lady  Huntingdon  ;  and,  not- 
withstanding her  former  respect  for  Mr.  Wesley,  she 
raised  a  terrible  storm  against  him  and  the  whole 'con- 
ference.    Not  very  unlike  the  affair  of  St.  Edmund's 
Hall,  she  declared  that  whoever  did  not  wholly  disavow 
the  obnoxious  minutes  should  leave  Trevecca  College. 
Her  wrath  first  fell  upon  Mr.  Benson,  who,  although 
his  piety  was  unquestionable,  and  his  classical  talent  of 
superior  order,  yet,  because  he  avowed  his  concurrence 
with  Mr.  Wesley,  he  was  fortlnvith  discharged,  but  with 
a  certificate,  stating  that  no  complaint  lay  against  either 
his  personal  character,  his  scholarship,  or  his  ability  to 
teach.      Mr.  Fletcher,  whose  services  as  president  of 
the  college  were  gratuitous,  now  sent  in  his  resignation, 
which  was  i)romptly  received. 

Not  satisfied  with  expelling  the  Methodists  from  Tre- 
vecca College,  her  ladyship  determined  to  get  up  an 
anti-Wesleyan  demonstration  in  the  city  of  Bristol, 
where  the  next  conference  was  tp  be  held,  to  effect 
which  she  got  a  printed  circuhir,  signed  by  the  Hon. 


168         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 

and  Rev.  Walter  Shirley,  who  acted  as  her  ladyship's 
agent.     This  circular  read  as  follows  :  — 

"  Sir,— AVhereasMr.  Wesley's  conference  is  to  be  held  at  Bris- 
tol on  Tuesday,  the  sixth  of  August  next,  it  is  proposed  by  Lady, 
Huntingdon,  and  many  other  Christian  friends  (real  Protestants)' 
to  have  a  meeting  at  Bristol,  at  the  same  time,  of  such  principal 
persons,  both  clergy  and  laity,  who  disapprove  of  the  underwritten 
minutes  ;  and,  as  the  same  are  thought  injurious  to  the  very  fun- 
damental principles  of  Christianity,  it  is  further  purposed  that  they 
go  in  a  body  to  the  said  conference,  and  insist  upon  a  formal  re- 
cantation of  the  said  minutes;  and,  in  case  of  a  refusal,  to  publish 
their  protest  against  them.  Your  presence,  sir,  on  this  occasion, 
is  particularly  requested;  but  if  it  should  not  suit  your  convenience 
to  be  there,  it  is  desired  that  you  will  transmit  your  sentiments  on 
the  subject  to  such  persons  as  you  think  proper  to  produce  them. 
It  is  submitted  to  you,  whether  it  would  not  be  right,  in  the  oppo- 
sition to  be  made  to  such  dreadful  heresy,  to  recommend  it  to  as 
many  of  your  Christian  friends,  as  well  of  the  dissenters  as  of  the 
estabhshed  church,  aa  you  can  prevail  upon  to  be  there,  the  cause 
being  of  so  general  a  nature.    I  am,  sir, 

"  Your  obedient  servant, 

"  Walter  Shirley." 

All  this  flourish  of  trumpets  ended  in  mere  sound  as 
far  as  injury  to  Methodism  was  concerned;  for  the 
whole  thing  was  so  perfectly  ridiculous  that  neither  man, 
woman,  nor  child  obeyed  this  summons,  or  repaired  to 
Bristol  for  any  such  purpose  as  named  in  the  circular. 

But  this  affiiir  brought  on  the  great  Calvinistic  con- 
troversy, which,  while  a  number  of  persons  on  both 
sides  entered  into  it,  yet,  on  the  Arminian  side,  was 
mostly  taken  up  by  Mr.  Fletcher.  His  "  Checks,"  writ- 
ten with  so  much  thought  and  logical  acumen,  and, 
withal,  in  such  a  devotional  and  heavenly  spirit,  have 
put  multitudes  right  on  this  point  of  theology.  They 
still  control  the  minds  of  evangelical  ministers  every- 
where ;  they  have  softened  down  the  asperities  of  those 


ROBERT    SWINDELLS. 


1G9 


who  advocate  a  limited  salvation  ;  they  have  criven  a 
clearness  and  perspicuity  to  Methodist  preachino-,  tliat  has 
caused  Its  doctrines  to  be  listened  to  by  vast  nmltitudes, 
and  given  it  a  great  amount  of  influence  and  of  power. 
Joseph  Benson,  dismissed  from  Trevecca  Colleo-e  for 
his  Methodism,  then  refused  orders  in  the  establish^ment 
for  the  same  reason,  now  went  forth  in  the  hio-hways 
preaching  Jesus.  * 

His  knowledge  of  the  Greek  Testament  was  pro- 
found ;  his  grasp  of  mind  on  theological  subjects  was 
most  extensive ;  his  voice,  although  weak,  was  heard 
by  listening  thousands;  when  the  depth  and  ran^re  of 
thought,  the  fervor  of  his  zeal,  his  clear  expositions  of 
Scripture,  and  his  frequent  bursts  of  eloquence,  would 
astonish  the  hearers,  and  cause  the  stoutest  sinner  in 
their  midst  to  tremble. 

Robert  Swindells,  one  of  Mr.  Wesley's  first,  and  one 
of  his  best,  lay  itinerants,  did   much  good  in  Ireland 
and  suffered  much  from    Irish    mojbs.      He  beo-an  to 
preach  in  1741.     Many  were  converged  to  God  through  . 
his  mstrumentality  ;  and  among  them  was  that  distin- 
guished scholar,  Thomas  Walsh.     In  the  minutes  of 
1783,  the  following  obituary  is  found ;     "  Robert  Swin- 
dells had  been  with  us  above  forty  years.     He  was  an 
Israelite  indeed.     In  all  those  years  I  never  knew  him 
to  speak  a  word  which  he  did  not  mean;  and  he  always 
spoke  the  truth  in  love.     I  believe  no  one  ever  heard 
him  speak  an  unkind  word.     He  went  through  exquis- 
ite  pain  for  many  years,  but  he  was  not  weary.     He 
was  still '  patient  in  bearing  ill,  and  doing  well.'      One 
thing  he  had  almost  peculiar  to  himself  :  he  had  no  en- 
emy ;  so  remarkably  was  that  word  fulfllled,  *  Blessed 
are  the  merciful ;  for  they  shall  obtain  mercy.'  " 

Thomas  Walsh  was  awakened  while  listening   to  a 


16 


170 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


sermon  fi'om  that  text,  "  Come  unto  me,  all  ye  that  la- 
bor and  are  heavy  laden,  and  I  will  give  you  rest," 
preached  on  the  parade-ground,  at  Limerick,  in  1''49,  by 
Robert  Swindells.  He  had  been  educated,  and  was  de- 
signed for  the  Roman  Catholic  priesthood.  He  was  a 
young  man  of  most  extraordinary  talent  and  learning 
as  well  as  piety.  Mr.  Wesluy  once  .aid,  respecting  tliis 
Irish  youth  :  "  I  knew  a  young  man  who  was  so  thor- 
oughly acquainted  with  the  Bible,  that,  if  he  was  ques- 
tioned concerning  any  Hebrew  word  in  the  Old,  or  any 
Greek  in  the  New  Testament,  he  would  m,  uiter  a 
brief  pause,  not  only  how  often  the  one  or  the  other  oc- 
curred in  the  Bible,  but  what  it  meant  in  every  place. 
Such  a  master  of  b'bhcal  knowledge  I  never  saw  be- 
fore, and  never  expect  to  see  again.  His  name  was 
Thomas  Walsh.'"  In  the  pulpit,  there  was  a  saintly 
dignity  and  a  moral  grandeur  about  him  that  struck 
his  hearers  with  solemn  awe.  While  preaching  Jesus, 
"he  seemed  to  be  clothed  with  the  ardor  a  .id  majesty 
of  a  seraph."  For  depth  of  piety,  for  fervent  zeal,  for 
diligence  in  his  studies,  and  for  extensive  and  constant 
labor,  he  has  had  no  superior  in  the  whole  Methodist 
itinerancy.  He  died  a  martyr  to  liis  work.  His  con- 
stitution was  feeble,  but  he  labored  as  if  it  had  been 
strong.  He  preached  constantly  twice,  ometimes 
thrice  a  day,  beside  visiting  b's  per  .)le  fro  house  to 
house  ;  yet  his  studies  were  pursued  as  if  they  were  his 
only  occupation.  He  rose  at  fotr  o'clock  evory  moni- 
ing,  and  pored  over  his  books  until  late  at  night. 
When  he  walked  the  streets  of  great  cities,  ho  seemed 
absorbed  in  contemplation  and  prayer,  ntiro-  /  unob- 
servant of  surrounding  objects.  He  be  ji  s  minis- 
try at  twenty  yearn  of  age,  and  closed  liis  life  at  the 
early  age  ot  twenty-eight. 


TnOMAS    OLIVERS. 


171 


Thomas   Olivers    was  a  wonderful  exaii    '  i   of  the 
power  of  religion  on  the  sinner's  heart.     1.     was  one 
of  the  trophies  of  early  Methodism,  rescued  as  he  was 
by  its  influence  from  a  state  of  almost  hopeless  reproba- 
cy.     He  was  a  Welshman,  and  by  trade  a  shoemaker  ; 
hence  his  enemies  have  sometimes  called  him  the  "  holy 
cobbler."     He    used,  before    his  conversion,  to  travel 
over  the  country,  sometimes  working  at  his  trade,  but 
plunging  in  all   kinds  of  vice,  contracting  debts,  and 
congratulating  himself  on  his  adroitness  in  fraud.       He 
was  converted  under  the  preaching  of  Mr.  Whitefield ; 
when  he  purchased  a   horse,  visited  his  old  haunts  of 
vice,  paid  his  debts  with  interest,  and  begged  pardon 
from  all  persons  whom  he  had  in  anv  way  injured. 
He  connected  himself  with  Mr.  Wesley,  and  became  a 
zealous  and  vtry  useful  Methodist  preacher.     He  was  a 
laborious  and  ind-fatigaole  student,  so  that  Mr.  Wes- 
ley made  him  corrector  of  the  press  in   London.      He 
took  part  ii:  the  Calvinistic  controversy.     He  composed 
that  beautiful  hymn,  pa^e  609,  beginning  :  — 

"  The  i  .'Ml  of  Abraham  praise, 
''♦""ho  reigns  enthroned  above." 

Of  this  hyh.il,  Mo  om.  ry  says :  "  There  is  not  in 
our  language  a  lyric  oi  air  majestic  style,  more  ele- 
vated thought,  or  more  glowing  imagery."  He  also 
com  osed  thu  tune  called  "  Helmsly,"  for  the  hymn  on 
page  68  :  — 

"  Lo  !  he  comes,  with  clouds  dcscen  'i"'^." 

He  died  in  1799,  and  the  minutt  s  ot  thnt  year  con- 
tain the  following  obituary  notice  :  — 

'  Thomas  Olivers,  who  died  advanrcit  m  years.  In 
his  younger  dnvs,  he  was  a  zealous,  able,  and  ii  Pul 
travciung  pr(:acher  ;    but  for  a  considei  ible  part  of     is 


172 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


life,  he  was  employed  by  Mr.  Wesloy  as  the  corrector 
of  his  press.  Ilis  taK'nts  wore  very  coiisicloral)Ie  ;  and 
his  attachmoiit  to  Mr.  Wesley  and  the  canse  of  Meth- 
odism was  fully  evinced  by  several  masterly  i)ubli('a- 
tions." 

Samuel  Bradhurn,  the  Demosthenes  of  Methodism, 
was  received  on  trial,  as  a  travelling  preacher,  at 
the  conference  of  1774.  He  was  a  man  of  uncommon 
wit,  and  much  given  to  humor.  As  a  preacher,  his 
grasp  of  thought  was  amazing.  His  discourses  were 
rich,  sublime,  and  mighty  ;  and  his  eloquence  was  over- 
powering. Dr.  Adam  Clarke,  who  knew  him  well, 
being  once  asked  to  describe  his  eloquence,  rejjlied  :  "  I 
have  never  heard  his  equal.  I  can  furnish  you  with  no 
adequate  idea  of  his  powers  as  an  orator.  We  have 
not  a  man  among  us  that  will  support  anytliing  like  a 
comparison  with  liim.  Another  Tradburn  must  be 
created,  and  you  must  hear  hi  in  yourself,  before  you 
can  receive  a  satisfactory  answer  to  your  inquirv."  He 
died  in  181(3  ;  and  the  minutes  n^e  the  following 
record  :  "  His  nn'nistry  was  owned  of  God  tor  the  sal- 
vation of  many  ;  and  for  several  years  he  was  considered, 
not  only  as  one  of  the  first  preachers  in  the  land  for  all 
the  higher  powers  of  persuasive  eloquence,  but  as  a 
faithful  laborer  in  the  vineyard  of  the  Lord."  It  was 
the  privilege  of  the  writer  in  his  youth  to  sit  under  the 
ministry  of  this  then  aged,  but  still  wonderfully  elo- 
quent. Christian  minister. 

We  mention  last,  but  not  least,  Thomas  Coke,  LL.  D., 
a  Welshman  by  birth,  a  gentleman  by  fortune,  an 
Episcopal  clergyman,  and  a  man  of  extensive  learning. 
He  was  the  founder,  the  advocate,  the  champion,  and 
to  a  great  extent  the  supporter,  of  the  first  Metliodist 
mission.       He  employed  his  talents,  he  spent  his  ami)le 


EARLY    METHODIST    PREACHERS. 


173 


11 


fortune,  and  devotc^l  his  life,  to  tlu,'  cause  of  missions, 
and,  l.avin^r  foundi'd  tlie  West  In.lian  niisv^n,  nnd  oi- 
gani/A-d  tlu'  Methodist  Episeopal  Cliurch  in  tlie  United 
States,  watched  over,  and  repeat- -dly  visited,  the  nn's- 
sions  in  the  West.  He  essayed  to  ^ro  to  India  with  a 
small  hand  of  missionaries  ;  but,  ere  the  shi])  reached 
the  end  (.1  lier  voyage,  he  was  called  from  his  labor  to 
his  reward. 

Such  were  the  talents,  such  were  the  character,  the 
labors,  and  the  success  of  the  early  Methodist  preach- 
ers ;  and  the  men  who  were  so  greatly  honored  in  being 
instrumental  in   laying  the  foundation  of  Methodism  in 
Great  Britain  and   Ireland  were  also  the  spiritual  fath- 
ers and  tutors  of  the  first  missionaries   in  Newfound- 
land.     We  need  not,  then,  wonder  at  the  devotedness 
of  those  missionaries,    or   the   result  of  their   labors. 
They  preached,  on  the  shores  of  Newfoundland,  Metho- 
dist doctrines  fully  ;  they  caused  the  people  to  under- 
stand them  thorou^.   ly.     They  taught  them  the  soul- 
stirring   lyrics  of  the  Poet  of  Methodism  ;    the  same 
which  are  now  sung  with  enthusiasm  in  their  public 
congregations,  and  are  to  be  heard  in  "  duet  "  or  "  s6lo  " 
as  the  vessels  glide  over  the  ocean  billows,  and  melodi 
ously  sunp-  1,y  their   females  while    engaged   in  their 
domestic  \^  ork,  or  while  toiling  in  the  di'eary  hours  of 
night ;  by  the  sublime  and  heaven-inspired  strains  of 
our  hymns  are  they  edified  in  their  religious  meetings, 
and  comforted  in  sickness  and  in  death  ;  and  the  gos- 
J^el  heard  by  that  people  from  Methodist  missionaHes 
has  proved  to  thousands  of  them  "  the  power  of  God 
unto  salvation." 

15* 


CHAPTER    V. 


JOHN  MCGEARY  — VISIT  OF  REV.  VPILLIAM  Bl^CK— GEORGE  SMITH— WIL. 
LIAM  TIIORESBY  —  JOHN  REMMINGTON  —  WILLIAM  ELLIS  —  SAMUEL 
MCDOWELL  — Vi^ILLIAM  WARD  — SAMPSON  BUSBY  — STATE  OF  THE 
METHODIST  MISSIONS  IN  1785  -  STATE  OF  ENGLAND  IN  1798  —  MIS- 
SIONS IN  1813  —  STATE  OF  INDIA  —  DR.  COKE  SAILS  FOR  INDIA  — 
ORIGIN  OF  THE  METHODIST  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY  —  NEWFOUNDLAND 
DISTRICT. 


JOHN  McGEARY  is  the  first  name  which  appears 
on  the  minutes  of  conference  as  a  missionary  to 
Newfoundland.     In  the  same  year  was  commenced  the 
West  Indian  mission  ;  and  Antigua  was  the  island  wliere 
Methodism  was  planted  in  that  important  field  of  labor. 
Newfoundland  was   then    truly  missionary  ground. 
The  country  was  not  colonized ;    the  forests   were  in 
their  primitive  simplicity;    there  were  no  roads,  but 
few  horses,  and  no  vehicles  of  any  kind ;  no  bridges  ; 
and  the  weary  traveller,  wuth  his  ^mapsack  or  nunny- 
bag  at  his  back,  would  climb  the  rocks,  and  wade  every 
stream  in  his  way.     The  children  without  education, 
the  people  without  religious  instruction,  and  the  land 
without  Bibles,  demonstrated  the  wisdom  of  our  founder 
and  the  conference  in  1785,  in  selecting  that  country 
as  one  of  the  first  spots  on  the  earth's  surface  where 
British  missionary  operations  should  commence ;  where 
the  first  rays  of  evangelical  light  should  shine  into  the 
dense  darkness  tliat  had  overspread  the  British  Provin- 
ces, as  well  as  other  lands,  which,  like  the  rays  from  the 
morning  sun,  should  continue  to  penetrate  the  moral 
gloom;    and    the  Sabbath  school,  the    Bible    Society, 


(174) 


REV.    MR.     MCGEARY. 


175 


and  other  adjuncts  of  tlie  gospel,  soon  then  to  be 
brought  mto  existence,  should,  hke  our  atmosphere, 
reflect  and  refract  that  hght,  until  "  the  earth  shall 
be  full  of  the  knowledge  of  the  Lord,  as  the  waters 
cover  the  sea." 

Mr.  McGeary  was  a  plain,  laborious  Methodist 
preacher.  His  circuit  was  an  immense  one:  it  ex- 
tended from  Port  de  Grave,  in  Conception  Bay,  to 
Old  Perlican,  in  Trinity  Bay,  —  a  distance  of  between 
fifty  and  sixty  miles ;  all  of  which  distance  he  travelled 
on  foot,  except  a  chance  time  when  he  might  get  down 
the  shore  in  a  fishing-boat. 

He  was  often  discouraged  in  his  work,  but  he  had 
much  cause  for  rejoicing.     Persecution  and  lukewarm- 
ness  had  indeed  scattered  the  flock  in  Harbor  Grace ; 
but  he  gathered  another  flock  in  Carbonear,  about  four 
miles   distant,    and  built   a  Methodist   church   there: 
from  which  time,  Carbonear  continued  to  be,  and  is 
still,  the  head-quarters  of   Methodism   in   the   island. 
Here  we  have  ever  found  some  of  our  best  friends  and 
most  liberal  supporters.     The  people  are  kind  to  a  prov- 
erb.    Our  church  is  a  noble  structure.     Our  congre- 
gation is  very  large  and  respectable ;  and  our  members 
there  are  now  almost  one-sixth  of  the  whole  member- 
ship of  the  district. 

In  the  minutes  of  1787,  two  years  after  Mr.  Mc- 
Geary  went  to  Newfoundland,  one  hundred  members 
are  returned  for  that  mission.  This  was  the  first  time 
the  number  of  members  on  the  mission  stations  was 
published.  From  1785  to  1791,  Mr.  McGeary  con- 
tmued  to  have  the  whole  island  as  his  circuit ;  but  in 
the  minutes  of  1791,  appears  the  first  circuit  appoint- 
ment, and^the  name  of  this  pioneer  of  Methodism  is 
put  down  for  Carbonear.    The  number  of  our  members 


176         NEWFOUNDLAND   AND    ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

was  one  hundred   and   fifty.     Tin's  was  the  year  the 
Rev.  John  Wesley  was  called  to  his  reward. 

During  the  summer  of  1791,  the  solitary  life  of  our 
missionary  was  relieved  and  cheered  by  the  arrival,  on 
a  visit,  of  the  Rev.  William  Black,  the  apostle  of  Nova 
Scotia.  Mr.  Black  landed  at  St.  Johns  on  the  10th 
of  August,  where,  after  remaining  one  day,  he  walked 
to  Portugal  Cove,  and  there,  in  an  open  fishing-boat, 
crossed  Conception  Bay  to  Carbonear,  a  distance  of 
seven  leagues,  where  he  met  Mr.  McGeary.  The 
meeting  of  these  laborers  from  different  fields  of  labor 
is  thus  described  by  Dr.  Richey,  in  the  "  Life  of  the 
Rev.  W.  Black."  Mr.  McGeary  hailed  Mr.  Black 
with  the  Hveliest  emotions  of  gratitude  and  joy. 

"I  have  been  weeping  before  the  Lord  (said  he)  over  my 
lonely  situation  and  the  darkness  of  the  people,  and  your  coming 
is  like  life  from  the  dead." 

Sabbath,   August    14th,    Mr.   Black    preached   his 

'  first  sermon  in   Carbonear :    several  were  awakened, 

and  several  backsliders  were  restored.     Li  the  evenincr 

of  that  day  thirty-seven  persons  gave  their  names  to 

meet  in  class. 

Wednesday,  17th,  he  preached  again  in  Carbonear 
Church.     He  says :  — 

"  While  I  was  preaching,  some  began  to  cry  aloud.  I  ceased 
preaching,  and  began  to  pray.  My  voice  was  nearly  drowned. 
Weei)iiig  on  every  side.  I  left  the  pulpit,  and  passed  through  the 
church,  exhorting  those  who  were  wounded  to  cry  for  mercy. 
All  over  the  chapel,  three  or  four  were  to  be  seen  in  almost  every 
pew  thus  atfected." 

August  18th,  Mr.  Black  writes :  — 

"  I  accompanied  Brother  Stretton,  a  judicious  and  upright  man, 
to  Harbor  Grace,  and  preached  in  the  evening  in  the  church  ho 
hail  hnilt  at  hi 


REV.    MR.    BLACK. 


177 


Sabbath,  21st,  he  writes  : 

"After  preaching  in  the  morning  to  about  three  hundred  people 
at  Port  de  Grave  I  addressed  nearly  the  same  number  in  bIv 
Koberts  m  the  afternoon.  Here  I  tbund  twenty-six  who  mef  in 
c  ass,  but  not  regularly  :  of  these,  few  only  enjoy  the  conso"  ons 
ot  expenmental  godliness.  1  added  four' to 'their  nun  be  Z 
Hashed  then,  w,th  a  class-paper,  explained  the  rules  of  the  o  i  ^^ 
and  left  them  m  charge  of  George  Vey,  the  leader,  a  pious  ^^  n. 
man,  who  I  trust  will  be  a  blessin-."  ^       " 

Tlie  anticipations  of  Mr.   Black,   in   reference   to 
George  Vey,  were  fully  realized.     Thirty  y.ears  after 
tlie  above  entry  was  made  in  Mr.  Black's  journal    the 
writer  became  acquainted  with  George  Vey,  not  then 
indeed  a  young  man,  but  an  infirm  old  man  ;   and 
during  that  long  time  had  this  good  man  been  faithful 
as  a  class-leader  and  as  a  local  preacher.     He  lived  in 
the  constant  enjoyment  of  the  favor  of  God  ;  he  was 
beloved  by  all  who  knew  him  ;  he  was  a  blessing  to  the 
neighborhood  where  he   resided  ;   and  at  length,  full 
of  years   and  honor,  he  went  triumphantly  home  to 

Ml^  Black  travelled  down  the  bay  to  Fresh  .ter 
and  Blackhead.  In  both  places  the  same  gracious 
influence  was  felt  among  the  people. 

To  chronicle  all    the   occurrences    of  interest    that 
transpn-ed  during  this  eventful  visit,  or  even  to  advert 
tc)    the   numerous  cases  of  conversion,  in  which  Mr. 
Black  gives  tlie  names  of  individuals,  would  draw  out 
these  detai  s  to  a  disproportionate  length.     Those  al- 
ready exhibited    amply  evince   the  extraordinarv  im- 
pression produced,  under  the   divine   blessing,  by  his 
mmistry  m  Newfoundland,  "  the  result  of  which  "  in 
the  words  of  tlje  Rev.  Richai-d  Knight,  seventeen  ;ears 
of  whose  highly  useful   missionary  life  were  spent  in 
the  same  scene  of  labor,  -  was  a  large  accession  to  the 


178 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


t  I 


Methodist  Society,  and  the  dawn  of  that  brighter  day 
which  has  since  shone  upon  our  mission  in  that  island. 
No  less  than  two  hundred  souls  were  converted  to  God 
during  his  brief  sojourn  in  Conception  Bay.  Nor  are 
the  fruits  of  that  visit  to  be  estimated  by  its  immediate 
results.  He  organized  Methodism,  settled  the  mission 
property,  and  secured  it  to  the  connection,  increased 
and  inspirited  the  society,  and  obtained  them  the  help 
they  needed."  ^ 

Of  Mr.  Black's  visit,  Mr.  Stretton  makes  the  follow- 
ing record  : —      • 

"November,  1791.  The  Lord  was  pleased  to  revive  his  work 
in  a  most  remarkable  manner  last  August,  through  the  instrumen- 
tality of  Mr.  William  Black,  of  Halifax,  in  Nova  Scotia.  He  came 
hither  on  a  visit,  spent  about  six  weeks  among  us,  and  then  re- 
turned. Many  wero  converted,  chiefly  young  people ;  and  since 
Mr.  Black's  departure,  I  have  gathered  near  sixty  young  persons 
and  many  little  children,  that  have  serious  impre'-^'ons  on  their 
minds.  This  work  was  the  most  extraordinary  I  ^.o  ever  seen. 
Tliis  is  the  day  my  soul  has  longed  for.  I  could  almost  take  up 
Simeon's  exclamation  !  Surely,  He  who  has  begun  this  glorious 
work  in  the  dreary  wilderness  will  carry  it  on,  until  this  dark 
region  is  illuminated  with  gospel  light,  knowledge,  and  love."^ 

Mr.  McGeary,  after  laboring  seven  years,  returned 
to  England,  when  the  number  of  members  reported  for 
Newfoundland  was  two  hundred  and  seventy. 

In  1792  and  1793,  Newfoundland  is  oiaitted  in  the 
minutes  of  conference  ;  and,  to  the  great  loss  of  our  so- 
cieties, no  preacher  was  sent  there  during  those  tM^o 
years ;  but,  in  the  year  1794,  it  received  a  second  con- 
ference appointment,  in  the  person  of  that  excellent 
man,  Georgf  Smith,  who  had  been  two  years  an  assistant 
with  K.  C.  Brackenbury,  Esq.,  a  wealthy  layman   who 


»  Methoilist  Magazine  for  1851,  p.  873. 

■  Life  of  He,v.  William  Black,  bv  1J-.  Rirh* 


j< 


p.  274. 


gave  h 

his  ow 

Mr. 

was  a 

a  man 

pious,  i 

extendi 

fruit  of 

Saint  e: 

ward  h 

accepta 

lived  m 

length, 

tian  pal 

James  j 

and  his 

mined  t 

throne  i 

declined 

member 

fifty  on  1 

various  < 

was  gre£ 

aged  sixi 

The  . 

I' 

was  appc 
preacher 
mission. 

FOUNDLA 

Mr.  Tho 
was  a  ma 
preached 
home  in 
Imndfed  i 


WILLIAM   THORESBY. 


179 


gave  himself  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  and  paid  all 
his  own  expenses. 

Mr.  Smith  commenced  his  itinerancy  in  1792.      He 
was  a  Methodist  preacher  of  the  John  Wesley  type  • 
a  man   of  strong  constitution,  a  good  preacher,  deeply 
pious,  and  of  great  zeal  in  the  cause  of  Christ.     He 
extended  our  mission  to  Bonavicta,  where  he  had  much 
fruit  of  his  labors  ;  and,  among  many  others,  Charles 
baint  experienced  converting  grace.     'Mr.  Saint  after- 
ward became  a  local  preacher,  and  preached  with  much 
acceptance,  and  led-  a  class  with  great  fidelity.      He 
lived  many  years,  an  ornament  to  our  church  ;  and  at 
length,  after  much  suffering,  which  he  bore  with  Chris- 
tian patience,  he  went  to  the  land  of  rest.     His  son 
James  now  fills  an  important  position  in  our  church  • 
and  his  children,  both  male  and  female,  seem  deter- 
mined to   meet   their    honored    grandsire    before    the 
throne  in  glory.       Our  church  in  Bonavista  has  never 
declined ;  and  our  minutes  for  the  year  1863  show  our 
membership  there  to  be  two  hundred  and  ninety,  and 
fifty  on  trial.     Mr.  Smith  subsequentlv  was  stationed  in 
various  circuits  in  England,  in  all  of  which  his  ministry 
was  greatly  owned  of  God,     He  died,  Jan.  25th,  1832 
aged  sixty-six  years.  ' 

The  year  before  Mr.  Smith  left,  William  Thoresby 
was  appointed  ;  and  1796  was  the  first  year  when  two 
preachers  were  allotted  to  that  extensive  and  important 
mission.    The  entry  on  the  minutes  reads  thus  :  "  New- 

FOUNDLAND,    WlLLlAM    ThoresBY,    GeORGE     SmiTH." 

Mr.  Thoresby  remained  on  the  island  two  vcars.  He 
was  a  man  of  excellent  pulpit  talent,  and,  wherever  iie 
preached,  he  had  crowded  congre^r.tions.  He  returned 
lome  m  1798,  at  which  time  our  uiembership  was  five 
hundred  and  ten.     He  died  in  1309.     In  1799,  Wil- 


180 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


Ham  Bulpitt  came  to  Newfoundland,  and  continued 
there  until  1807,  when  he  removed  to  Nova  Scotia. 

Our  next  missionary  was  John  Remmington,  a  na- 
tive of  Ireland.  He  was  converted  to  God  in  1790, 
entered  the  ministry  in  1802,  and  was  appointed  to 
Coleraine.  He  came  to  Newfoundland  in  1804,  where 
he  labored  with  great  success.  In  1810,  he  returned  to 
Ireland,  and  labored  until  1834,  when  he  was  compelled 
by  infirmity  to  become  a  supernumerary. 

Mr.  Remmington  was  a  "  man  of  unquestionable  pi- 
ety, of  sterling  ui)rightness,  of  great  simplicity  of  man- 
ners, and  enjoyed  uninterrupted  communion  with  God." 
He  was  a  lover  of  music,  and  a  good  singer.  He 
taught  our  people  a  number  of  old  English  tunes,  and 
would  enliven  the  prayer-meetings  with  some  revival 
melody.  In  a  manner  truly  enchanting,  he  would  sing 
that  now  almost  obsolete  hymn  :  — 

"  Come,  saints  and  sinners,  hear  me  tell 
The  wonders  of  Immanucl ; 
Who  saved  me  from  a  burning  hell, 
And  brought  my  soul  with  him  to  dwell, 
And  gave  me  heavenly  union." 

He  extended  our  missions  to  the  Harbor  of  Trinity, 
where  for  many  years  his  name  was  a  household  word, 
and,  in  the  hearts  of  all  who  knew  him,  his  memory 
was  imperishable.  No  man  ever  left  the  shores  of  New- 
foundland more  deeply  regretted  than  was  John  Rem- 
mington. He  sailed  from  Trinity  at  midnight,  and 
that  evening  was  a  sorrowful  vigil  with  his  friends. 
Just  as  he  was  about  to  leave  the  house,  amidst  the 
tears  and  sobs  of  many,  he  sung :  — 

"Here's  my  heart  and  here's  my  hand, 
To  meet  you  in  that  heavenly  land, 
Where  wc  shall  part  no  more." 


in  the 


SAMUEL   MCDOWELL    AND    WILLIAM   ELLIS.        181 

^  He  died,  Nov.  11,  1838,  in  the  sixi  j-sixtli  year  of 
his  age,  and  tlie  fortieth  of  his  ministry. 

A  little  before  his  death,  he  said  to 'his  family,  "  Oh 
be  a  family  of  prayer !  Come,  come,  I  want  you  all 
in  heaven.  '  His  sorrowing  wife  replied,  "  You  will 
soon  have  the  victory."  She  inquired,  "  Is  the  Saviour 
Fecious  ?  "  -  Yes,"  said  he,  -  very,  very  precious." 
His  last  words  were,  "  Farewell,  all  is  welfl  " 

In  1808,  three  missionaries  appear  in  the  minutes,  — 
John  Remmington,  William  Ellis,  Samuel  McDowell 
—  all  Irishmen,  and  noble  and  faithful  men. 

Mr  McDowell  labored  six  years  in  different  parts  of 
he  island  to  the  north  of  St.  Johns.     He  was  a   na- 
tive ot  Dromore,   and  was  born  in  1780.       He  was 
brought  to  God  in  early  youth,  entered  the  ministry  in 
1808,  and  was  appointed  to  Newfoundland.     He  was  a 
kind  man   and  had  an  untiring  zeal  in  the  cause  of  his 
Maker.     His  ministerial  talents  were  very  respectable, 
but   he  shrank  from  everything  like  popularity.     He 
was  respected  and  beloved  ^v  all  who  knew  him.     He 
spent  SIX  years  on  this  mission,  wr.en,  his  health  becom- 
ing somewhat    impaired,    he   went    to    England,  and 
spent  one  year  in  the  Ipswich  Circuit,  after  which  he 
returned  to  his  native  land,  and  labored  m  .ny  year^  a. 
an  Irish  missionary        He  became  a  supernu  n'.arv  in 
1848,  and  died  in   August,  1855,  in   the   seventy-sixth 
year  of  his  age  and  forty-eighth  of  his  ministry. 

Wilham  Ellis  was  the  other  colleague  of  Mr. 
Remmington.  With  this  excellent  missionary,  the 
writer  was  well  acquainted,  and  was  his  fellow-laborer 
lor  fourteen  years.  V 

Mr.    Ellis  was   born    in  the  County  Down,  in  the 

North  of  Trplnnrl    ,•„  1TQn  .    ..    i  ^  '   "^   ^"® 


in  thi 


of  Ireland,  in  1780  ;  and 


was  converted  to  God 


sixteenth  year  of  his  age.    When  about  eighteen 


a6 


182 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES, 


I 


the  Irisli  Rebellion  broke  out,  and  to  some  of  its  fearful 
scenes  he  was  an  eye-witness.  At  the  battle  of  Bally- 
nahinch,  his  parents,  with  all  the  family,  had  to  leave 
their  house,  and  hide  themselves  in  the  field  as  best 
they  could,  where  the  crying  of  one  of  the  children  ex- 
posed the  place  of  their  concealment,  and,  but  for  the 
timely  arrival  of  the  troops,  they  would  have  been  mas- 
sacred. The  providence  of  God  preserved  him  in  the 
midst  of  danger.  He  afterward  filled  several  impor- 
tant positions  in  the  church  in  his  native  land,  —  in  par- 
ticular, those  of  a  class-leader,  and  a  local  preacher. 
He  came  to  Newfoundland  as  a  missionary,  in  1808, 
where  he  spent  all  his  remainirg  life,  which  was  twenty- 
nine  years,  in  preaching  the  word  of  life  and  salvation. 
He  was  a  kind  and  amiable  man,  of  good  natural  abil- 
ities, and  very  eloquent  as  a  speaker  :  he  was  faithful, 
laborious,  and  successful  in  his  work,  and  continued  to 
labor  until  within  a  few  months  of  his  decease.  He 
died  in  peace,  at  Harbor  Grace,  Sept.  21st,  1837.  This 
was  the  first  missionary  who  died  on  the  island,  although 
it  was  then  seventy-two  years  since  Mr.  Coughlan  came 
to  Harbor  Grace. 

In  1810,  William  Ward  was  appointed  to  assist 
the  brethren  Ellis  and  McDowell,  and  was  stationed 
at  Bonavista,  —  the  first  missionary  evtT  stationed  there. 
Two  years  after,  on  making  a  passage  to  St.  Johns 
in  a  fishing-boat,  he  was  drowned,  as  were  all  the 
boat's  crew. 

Sampson  Busby  was  ordained  by  Dr.  Coke,  and 
came  to  Newfoundland  in  181S,  Carbonear  was  his 
chief  station,  where  he  continued  three  years ;  and,  in 
1816,  he  removed  to  Prince  Rlwartf  Island.  He  was 
afterward  stationed  in  Nova  Scotia,  and  spent  twenty- 
nine  years  oi  uss  useful  life  in  some  of  the  most  inipor- 


■  ?iiffftaiLtii 


m-^' 


WESLEYAN    MISSIONARY    SOCIETY. 


183 


tant   circuits  in    that    Province  and  New   IJrunswick. 
He  died,  Marcli  31st,  1850,  in  the  sixty-Hrst  year  of  his 
acre    and    tlie    thirty-eighth    of  his   ministry.     In  liis 
last  iihiess,  he  was  sustained  by  tlie  ])resence*  and  grace 
of  God,  and  was  enabled  to  rejoice  in  that  "  perfect 
love  "  which  "  castetli  out  fear."      J  lie  name  of  Samp- 
son Bushy  was  long  ciierislied  in  Carbonear  ;  and  the 
name  of  liis  excellent  wife  ought  not  to  be  forgotten. 
She  it  was  who  commenced  the  first  female  school  in 
that  part  of  the  island.     When  slie  arrived,  it  could 
scarcely  be  said  there  was  a  school  of  any  kind  either  in 
Harbor  Grace  or  Carbonear,  or  anywhere  on  the  North 
Siiore ;  and  if  any  respectable  person  wished  to  give 
their  children  an  education,  they  were  obliged  to  s^'end 
them  to  England.     Mrs.  Busby  was  an  accomplished 
and  deeply  pious  lady.     She  opened  a  school  for  young 
ladies,  which  was   numerously  attended,  and    thereby 
gave  the  impetus  to  female  education  in  Carbonear  now 
so  generally  observed  by  the  inhabitants  of  that  impor- 
tant town. 

The  year  1813  was  when    the  Wesleyan  Method- 
ist   Missionary  Society  received   its  present  form  and 
constitution.  Not  that  the  Wesleyan  Church  then  for 
the  first  time  sent  missionaries  abroad,  to  preach  in  dis- 
tant lands  the  same  great  truths  which  had  produced 
such  mighty  effects  in  every  part  of  the  United  King- 
dom ;  for  it  will  be  seen,  from  the  preceding  pages,  tlmt 
she  had  done  this  near  fifty  years  before  :  or,  to  speak 
more   correctly,  it    was    tlien    forty-eight   years   since 
Lawrence    Coughlan    had   commenced  his    mission  in 
Newfoundland.     In  1769,  two  missionaries  were  sent 
to  America  ;  and,  in  1785,  Newfoundland  was  regularly 
entered  upon  the  minutes ;  and  also  the  West  Indian 
mission  then  commenced.     And  this  last  date  (1785) 


184 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


m  t 


i\ 


was  earlier,  by  several  years,  than  any  other  evangelical 
cluirch  in  Entiland  (Mitered  the  mission  field.  Durinir 
these  years,  Mr.  W  esley  and  the  conference  had  fos- 
tered the  missionary  spirit,  and  had  sustained  an<l  ex- 
tended their  missions  to  the  utmost  of  tlieir  means. 
Bu:  hitherto  the  labors  of  the  missionaries  had  been 
desultory,  the  management  of  the  missions  informal, 
and  the  Wesleyan  Church,  as  well  as  the  evangelical 
church  in  general,  was  only  very  partially  imbued  with 
true  missionary  zeal.  A  different  feeling  wr!s  to  influ- 
ence the  church  ;  a  different  state  of  things  was  to  exist ; 
Christian  liberality  was  soon  to  develbj)  itself  to  an  ex- 
tent that  would  silence  gainsayers  and  infidels ;  and 
British  Christian  missions,  instead  of  beino-  local  in 
their  efforts,  or  limited  to  the  provinces  of  the  empire, 
were  to  expand  in  every  direction,  until  the  gospel  of 
the  Redeemer  should  be  preached  in  every  nation  upon 
earth. 

In  1785,  our  mission  stations  were  only  Nova  Scotia, 
Newfoundland,  and  AnfijSj;;)!! ;  our  missionarie.N  only 
four,  and  they  stood  thus  ?.  — 

Nova  Scotia --Fiveborn  Gurrettson. 
New  foundland  —  John  McGeary 
Antigua — J.  Baxter,  J.  Lambert. 

Our  membership  :  — 

Nova  Scotia,  including  Newfoundland,  ....    300 

Antigua,  Whites g 

Blacks 1,100 


Total        ....         1,408 

The  supervision  of  these  missions  was  not  then  a 
very  difficult  task  ;  but  it  was  very  difficult  to  raise 
the  small  pecuniary  means  for  their  support.  Both 
these  duties  were  cheerfuliv  undertaken  b^^  Dr.  Coke. 


DR.    COT'E. 


'85 


1  e  was  tren.urer,  secretary,  and  collec-tor,  and  made 
his  report  viva  voce.  He  bc-o^^od  the  money  from  be- 
nevolent i)ersons  who  felt  m  interest  in  the  mission 
cause;  and  amon<x  these  fi.st  coii  ^butors  were  sev- 
eral peers  of  the  realm,  In'ies  of  rank,  uiid  Episcopal 
clero-ymen.^ 

In  1793,  the  doctor  presented  bis  first  writt(>n  state- 
ment to  the  conference.     It  was  the  receipts  and  dig- 
biirsements  of  six  years,  from  August,  1787,  to  August, 
179;i.    The  largest  amount  in  any  one  of  these  yeariTwas 
^1,167  12«.  1^7.  ;    and   the  smallest  was  only  £  ^B9 
168. ;  this  was  in  the  year  1790.     When  the  ace 
was  presented,   a   balance  ^^as  due  to   the  doctoi 
<£2,1GT  17s.  2d.;  when,  with   his  noble  Christia 
nevolencc   he  said,  "  The  large  balance  due  to  me  will 
neve    again  be  brought  '   to  account;  it  is  my  subscrip- 
tion to   his  great  work.''^ 

On  the  reading  of  tins  report,  the  folio     ng  question 
was  asked  in  conference  :  — 

"  Quest.  36.  The  fund  for  the  support  of  the  missions  .'n  the 
West  Indies  being  exhausted,  yea,  considerably  in  debt,  what 
can  be  done  for  its  relief  ? 

"  Ans.  a  general  collection  shall  be  made  for  the  missions,  in 
our  congregations,  for  this  year." 

During  eight  years,  mostly  by  the  unwearied  efforts 
of  the  doctor,  our  mission  stations  w^ere  inn-eas(     from 

1  "  Among  the  pious  and  benevolent,  the  names  of  Wliitbren-i  vVilberforce 
and  the   Thorntons  are  invariably  found,  together  with  Riirht  Hon' 

the  Earl  of  Dartmouth,  Lord  Elliot,  Earl  of  Belvidero,  Ladv   Ma- •^■  Fitz- 
gerald,  Lady  Maxwell,  Sir  Charles  Middleton,  afterward  Lord  Barham 
Sir  Richard  Hil!,  Sir  John  Cart. , ,  Sir  AVilliam  Forbes,  Ladv  Smythe,  Hon! 
Mrs.  Carteret,  and  the  Hon.  Mrs.  Bouverie.     Of  the  clerg^  wlio  aided  the 
doctor,  were  Rev.  Mr.  Dodwell  of  Lincolnshire,  Melville  Horne  of  Madeley 
Berridge  of  Everton,  Abdy  of  Horsleydoun,  Dr.  Gillis  of  Glasgow  Simp- 
son of  Macclesfield,  Pentycross  of  Wallingford,  Easterbrook  of  Bristo'l,  Ke.i- 
nedy  of  Teston,  &c."  -  Methodist  Magazine,  1844,  p.  222. 
16  * 


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186 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


three  to  thirteen,  our  missionaries  from  four  to  twenty- 
two,  and  our  missionary  membership  fi-om  1,408  to 
7,840. 

At  the  conference  of  1797,  the  foreign  missions 
were  again  directed  to  be  brought  to  the  notice  of  our 
people,  by  one  of  its  miscellaneous  regulations. 

"  V.  Concerning  the  West  Indies. 

"  1.  Let  a  collection  be  made  in  the  course  of  thin  year,  for 
the  support  of  the  missionaries,  in  every  congregation  where  it  is 
practicable. 

"  2.  The  district  committees,  in  the  month  of  May,  are  to  in- 
quire, whether  any  preacher  is  willing  to  go  to  the  West  Indies ; 
and  the  chairmen  of  those  districts,  in  which  any  preacher  offers 
himself,  are  to  inform  Dr.  Coke  of  it  before  the  meeting  of  the 
Irish  Conference." 

There  is  no  published  statement  of  the  amc  mt  of 
missionary  collections  as  the  result  of  these  special 
applications ;  but  the  appeal  for  missionaries  was  nobly 
responded  to ;  for  our  men  in  the  West  Indies  were 
increased  next  year  from  fourteen  to  twenty-two. 

These  were  times  of  great  trouble  and  suffering  ' 
throughout  both  England  and  Ireland.  The  French 
war  then  raged  fearfully ;  commerce  was  seriously  af- 
fected by  the  war ;  a  short  harvest  caused  a  faming  to  a 
great  extent ;  England  was  threatened  with  a  French 
invasion ;  and  Ireland  was  in  a  state  of  rebellion- 
But  in  the  midst  of  all,  the  mission  cause  was  not  for- 
gotten ;  for  at  the  conference  of  1798  it  was  asked :  — 

"  Quest.  What  can  be  done  for  the  support  of  our  foreign 
missions  ? 

"  Ans.  Dr.  Coke  is  desired  to  make  private  collections,  as  far 
as  possible,  among  our  societies  and  among  strangers,  for  the  mis- 
sions, and  the  preachers  are  to  assist  him  in  this  business ;  and  in 
those  societies  which  the  doctor  cannot  visit,  the  preachers  are  to 
do  what  they  can  by  private  applications  for  this  purpose.    And 


WEST    INDIA    MISSIONS. 


187 


this  is  to  be  considered  as  a  substitute  for  a  public  collection,  on 
account  of  the  temporal  circumstances  of  our  connection." 

The  next  year,  1799,  recourse  was  again  had  to 
pubHc  collections ;  and  the  mission  work,  which  had 
hitherto  been  solely  under  the  control  of  Dr.  Coke, 
the  conference  now  took  under  its  own  direction,  and 
appointed  the  doctor  its  agent.  We  quote  the  min- 
utes on  this  subject:  — 

"  Quest.  44.  Are  there  any  further  directions  or  regulations 
in  respect  to  the  West  India  missions  ? 

"  Ans.  1.  We,  in  the  fullest  manner,  take  those  missions  under 
our  own  care,  and  consider  Dr.  Coke  as  our  a^ent. 

"  2.  We  agree,  that  a  general  collection  be  made,  as  soon  as 
possible,  in  all  our  Sunday  congregations  in  Great  Britain,  for  that 
blessed  work. 

"  N.  B.  The  collections  are  to  be  sent  up  to  London,  and  lodged 
in  the  hands  of  Brother  Whitefield." 

George  Whitefield,  our  book  steward  for  that  year, 
was  the  first  missionary  treasurer  in  the  connection. 

In  1802,  the  first  general  instructions  were  issued  to 
the  West  Indian  missionaries,  by  which  were  arrancred 
their  time  and  service  in  that  Archipelago,  which  was 
as  follows :  — 

"  1.  That  preachers  who  had  been  previously  in  full  connec- 
tion should  remain  four  years. 

"  2.  Preachers  who  had  travelled  on  trial  in  Europe  should 
remain  five  years. 

"  3.  Preachers  who  had  not  travelled  at  all  in  Europe  should 
remain  six  years." 

In  1804,  Dr.  Coke  was  "  re-appointed  to  the  office  of 
general  superintendent  of  all  our  missions."  2.  "A 
committee  of  finance  and  advice  is  appointed,  con- 
sisting of  all  the  preachers  stationed  in  London." 
3.  "  Dr.  Coke  is  appointed  president  of  this  com- 
mittee,  Mr.  Entwirie   the   secretary,  and  Mr.  Lomas 


188         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 

the  treasurer.'^      This  was  the  first   missionary  com- 
mittee. 

Tlius  fur  missionary  collections  were  only  occasion- 
ally taken  ;  and  donations  only  occasionally  solicited ; 
but  in  1805,  a  more  systematic  method  was  rdopted  to 
raise  pecuniary  means.     At  this  conference  it  was 

"  Resolved,  Let  annual  subscriptions  be  taken  in  by  the  gene- 
ral superintendent  of  the  missions,  or  the  superintendents  of 
the  circuits. 

"  2.  Let  the  collection,  which  has  been  frequently  made  for 
their  support  in  our  congregations,  in  town  and  country,  be  an- 
nual." 

This  was  the  first  movement  to  raise  a  regular  in- 
come for  missionary  purposes. 

A  few  more  entries  in  reference  to  foreign  missions 
are  found  on  the  pages  of  our  minutes ;  but  nothing 
is  recorded  there  calculated  to  awaken  a  dormant  spirit 
of  the  connection  to  its  duty,  as  to  the  important  part 
it  was  designed  to  take  in  giving  the  gospel  of  salva- 
tion to  the  world,  until  the  year  1813.     At  that  time 
our  number  of  mission  stations,  exclusive  of  Ireland,  was 
twenty-two.     We  had  twenty-seven  missionaries  in  the 
West  Indies  and    Bermuda,  thirteen  in  Nova  Scotia 
and  New  Brunswick,  and  three  in  Newfoundland,  ~ 
total   number   of   missionaries    forty-three ;    and   our 
missionary  membersliips  sixteen  thousand  seven  hun- 
dred and  forty-two.     So  that  our  increase  from  1791, 
the  time  Mr.   Wesley  died,  a   period  of  twenty-two 
years,   was   only   twenty-three   missionaries   and    ten 
thousand  two  hundred  and  seventeen  members. 

The  year  1813  will  be  famous  in  all  time  to  come, 
in  all  Wesleyan  annals,  by  whomsoever  written  :  — 
1.  As  the  time  when  the  important  mission  to  India 
was  inaugurated.  2.  Because  the  Wesleyan  church 
then  became  missionary  in  earnest. 


METHODISM    IN    INDIA. 


189 


As  early  as  tlie  year  1781,  Dr.  Coke  had  looked  up- 
on India  with  deep  interest,  and  desired  to  occupy  it 
as  a  mighty  field  for  missionary  enterprise.  But  In- 
dia was  then  hermetically  sealed  against  all  efforts  to 
Christianize  her  teeming  millions. 

Great  Britain  seems,  in  the  order  of  Divine  Provi- 
dence, raised  to  her  present  high  position  among  the 
nations,  to  destroy  slavery  everywhere,  and  to  carry 
liberty,  knowledge,  civilization,  and  evangelical  truth 
to  every  nation  under  heaven.  But  in  India,  for  many 
years,  she  was  recreant  to  her  trust. 

After  a  series  of  brilliant  conquests,  on  the  twenty- 
third  of  June,  1757,  occurred  the  battle  of  Plassy,  by 
which  the  whole  Peninsula  of  India  was  placed  under 
British  control,  and  the  standard  of  our  empire  waved 
over  every  fortress  of  that  vast  country. 

But,  strange,  we  assumed  the  government  there  as  a 
nation  of  Atheists  I  We  ignored  Christianity,  and 
professed  no  religion  at  all.  We  dallied  with  and  we 
fondled  and  nursed  every  system  of  idolatry  and  crime, 
by  which  the  people  had  been  enslaved  and  cursed  for 
three  thousand  years.  And  so  determined  were  the 
East  India  Company,  who  then  held  the  reins  of  gov- 
ernment, that  Christianity  should  not  be  known  there, 
that  when  Robert  and  James  Haldane,  two  Scotch 
gentlemen  of  fortune,  offered  to  establish  a  mission  at 
Benares,  which  is  the  "  Maynboth  "  of  India,  at  a  cost 
of  <£  10,000  sterling,  the  offer  was  insultingly  refused  ; 
and  one  of  the  directors  of  the  East  India  Company 
is  reported  to  have  said  :  "  I  would  rather  see  a  band 
of  devils  land  in  India  than  a  band  of  missionaries." 

The  doctor's  plan  for  the  conversion  of  India,  there- 
fore, of  necessity  stood  for  several  years  in  abeyance. 
But  he  never  lost  sight  of  this  great  object.     He  con- 


190         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


fr'a 


stantly  mentioned  it  to  liis  friends  ;  and  year  after  year 
he  earnestly  sought  the  sanction  of  tlie  conference 
for  this  philanthropic  measure.  In  the  year  1813,  he 
was  president  of  tlie  Irish  Conference.  He  brought 
his  plan  before  that  conference,  and  asked  for  its  offi- 
cial sanction.  It  was  voted  with  enthusiasm.  He 
next  appeared  before  the  British  Conference,  to  plead 
for  India.  Some  of  the  brethren  opposed  his  plan, 
when  he  burst  into  tears,  and  exclaimed :  "If  you 
will  not  let  me  go  to  India  you  will  break  my  heart." 
The  brethren  now  withdrew  their  opposition,  and  six 
missionaries  were  appointed  to  accompany  him  to 
India,  and  one  was  to  be  left  at  the  Cape  of  Good 
Hope. 

The  doctor  and  his  missionary  band  left  the  British 
shores  in  the  month  of  January,  1814 ;  but  he  died  in 
his  cabin,  on  the  night  of  May  2d,  when  the  ship 
was  within  eighteen  days'  sail  of  Bombay,  where  she 
was  bound.     The  brother  of  the  writer  was  on  board 
the  ship  Cabalva  atj;he  time,  and  assisted  in  lowerincr 
the  body  of  the  doctor  into  the  sea. 
^  WlJle  Dr.  Coke  lived,  the  responsibility  of  the  mis- 
sions mostly  rested  on  him.     The  great  part  of  the 
missionary  subscriptions  and  collections  was  raised  by 
his  effort,  and  he  suj^plied   large   sums,  sometimes  to 
the  extent  of  <£  1,800  or  £  2,000,  from  his  own  pri- 
vate  purse.     Now   that,  he   was   taken  away,  many 
thought  the  missionary  work  w^ould  soon  come  to  an 
end.     But  not  so  ;  "  God  can  bury  his  workmen  and 
still  carry  on  his  work."     Thus  it  was  in  this  instance. 

FORMATION    OF  THE  WESLEYAN  METHODIST  MISSIONARY 

SOCIETY. 

As  soon  as  the  conference  of  1813  was  over,  and 


a. 


WESLEYAN    MISSIONARY    SOCIETY. 


191 


fter  year 
mfereiice 
1813,  he 

brousht 
L'  its  offi- 
m.     He 

to  plead 
lis  plan, 
"  If  you 
'  heart." 

and  six 

him  to 
of  Good 

3  British 
i  died  in 
;he  ship 
here  she 
n  board 


owerins 


the  mis- 
t  of  the 
lised  by 
:imes  to 
wn  pri- 
,  many 
le  to  an 
len  and 
istance. 

lONARY 

er,  and 


some  months  before  the  doctor  left  England,  some  of 
its  members  began  to  feel  that  the  responsibility  of  pro- 
viding the  means,  as  well  as  the  men,  must  be  thrown 
upon  the  church  ;  and  that  some  new  and  more  pro- 
ductive plan  for  raising  funds  for  missionaiy  purposes 
must  be  adopted.  That  year  Jabez  Bunting  was  chair- 
man of  the  Leeds  District,  and  there  were  associated 
with  him  in  that  field  of  labor,  besides  several  eminent 
men,  George  Morley,  James  Buckley,  and  Richard 
Watson. 

The  Rev.  George  Morley  was  the  Superintendent  of 
the  Leeds  Circuit;  and  when  he  returned  from  confer- 
ence, the  stewards  waited  upon  him,  to  mention  a  fact 
that  had  occurred  during  his  absence,  and  to  ask  his  judo-- 
ment  respecting  it.     The  fact  was  this :  some  of  the 
agents  of  the  London  Missionary  Society  had  adopted 
a  weekly  subscription,  like   our  class  money,  to  raise 
funds  for  their  missionary  society,  and  had  requested 
several  of  our  class-leaders  to  accept  collecting-books 
for  that  pui-pose.     Mr.  Morley  pondered  over  this  cir- 
cumstance.    It  struck  him,   "  this  is  the  very   thing 
that  is  wanted  in  the  Methodist  connection  ;  and  such 
weekly  contributions  would  form  a  valuable  source  of 
mcome  to  our  mission  fund."     He  thought,  however, 
that  the  raising  of  such  contributions  should  not  be 
confined  to  members  of  the  church,  but  that  missionary 
collectors  should  be  employed  to  solicit  from  benevolent 
persons  subscriptions  either  weekly,  monthly,  quarterly, 
or  annual ;  and  that  public  meetings  should  be  held] 
at  which  missionary  information  should  be  given,  and 
the  claims  of  the  missionary  enterprise  set  forth  both 
by  ministers  and  laymen. 

He  consulted  his  chairman  and  colleague,  the  Rev. 
Jabez  Bunting,  whose  comprehensive  mind  at  once  saw 


I;' 


l! 


192 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


tlie  immense  advantage  of  such  a  measure.     After  fur- 
tlier  consultation  with  tlie  ministers  and  several  intelli- 
gent laymen,  it  was  determined  to  call  a  public  meeting, 
in  order  to  carry  the  plan  into  effect.     The  meeting 
was  appointed  for  half  past  two  o'clock,  on  the  6th  of 
October,  in  the  old  chapel  at  Leeds.     A  preparatory 
missionary  sermon  was  preached  on  Tuesday  evenincr, 
Oct.  5th,  at  Armley,  in  the  Bramley  Circuit,  by  the 
Rev.  James  Buckley,  from  Isaiah  Iv.  10,  11,  and  the 
services  of  that  important  day,  Oct.  6th,  1813,  were 
commenced  by  a  most  solemn  prayer-meeting,  held  at 
six  o'clock  in  the  morning,  in  the  old  chapel.     At  half 
past  ten  o'clock  in  the  forenoon,  the  Rev.  Richard  Wat- 
son preached  his  memorable  and  never  to  be  forgotten 
sermon  on  the  "  dry  bones,"  Ezek.,  chap,  xxxvii.  9, 
"  Come  from  the  four  winds,  O  breath,  and  breathe 
upon  the  slain,  that  they  may  live."     The  sermon  was 
delivered  with    great   power,  with  much  pathos,  and 
with  a  persuasive  eloquence    that  deeply  affected  his 
whole  audience.      Of  the  heathen  in  general,  he  re- 
marked :  — 

"  The  heathen  have  turned  the  truth  of  God  into  a  lie.  Their 
religious  opinions  are  absurd  fables ;  and  the  principles  of  morali- 
ty being  left  without  support,  have  all  been  borne  down  by  the  tide 
of  sensual  appetite  and  ungoverned  passion.  Ignorance  the  most 
profound,  imaginations  the  most  extravagant,  and  crimes  the  most 
daring,  have  ever  characterized  the  world  which  lies  in  the  power 
of  the  wicked  one." 

Of  Asia,  where  Dr.  Coke  was  now  going,  he  said:  — 

"  If  we  turn  to  the  East,  there  the  peopled  valleys  of  Asia  stretch 
before  us ;  but  peopled  with  whom  ?  With  the  dead.  That  quar- 
ter of  the  earth  alone  presents  five  hundred  millions  of  soirls,  with 
but  few  exceptions,  without  a  God,  save  gods  that  sanction  vice; 
without  a  sacrifice,  save  sacrifices  of  folly  and  blood ;  without  a 
«^;..=+  exceDt  a  race  of  jugglers,  imnostors. 


'feS' 


I  murderers :  without 


WESLEYAN    MISSIONARY    SOCIETY. 


193 


holy  days,  except  such  as  debase  by  their  levity,  corrupt  by  their 
sensuality,  or  harden  by  their  cruelty." 

At  the  time  mentioned,  half  past  two  o'clock,  the 
public  meeting  was  held.     The  meeting  was  large,  and 
the  gallery  was  wholly  occupied  with  ladies.     The  res- 
olutions passed  at  that  meeting  were   the  basis  upon 
which  "  TheWesIeyan  Methodist  Missionary  Society" 
was  aftex  ward  formed  ;   a  society  which,  during  fifty 
years  of  its  existence,  has  sent  many  hundreds  of  mis- 
sionaries to  labor  in  distant  lands ;  has  collected  and  ex- 
pended  many   hundreds   of  thousands   of  pounds   in 
spreading  the  gospel ;  has  been  instnimental  in  saving 
hundreds  of  thousands  of  souls  ;  and,  at  this   day,  is 
one  of  the  most  important  and  most  extensive  mission- 
ary  organizations  upon  the  face  of  the  earth. 

The  benefit  of  this  organization  was  soon  felt,  both  at 
home  and  abroad ;  at  home,  by  the  increase  of  the  true 
missionary   spirit    and    the    augmentation   of  funds ; 
abroad,  by  the  addition  to  our  missionary  staff,  and  the 
extension  and  influence   of  our  missionary  churches 
In  Newfoundland,  down  to  this  time,  our  missionaries 
were  without  any  fixed  abode,  or  fixed  salary.     T.     - 
itinerated  up  and  down  the  north  shore  of  Conception 
Bay,  receiving  what  the  people  thought  proper  to  give 
them,  and  drawing  for  their  remaining  necessities  upon 
Dr.  Coke,  or  upon  their  kind  friends  in  England,  who 
deeply  and  constantly  fit  for  the  long  neglected  inhab- 
itants of  that  rock-bound  island.     But  this  irregularity 
was  now  soon  terminated  by  organizing  the  missions  into 
a  district,  forming  circuits  p  that  district,  and  originat- 
ing a  plan  of  finance  and  expenditure.    We  shall,  there- 
fore, from  this  time,  have  to  speak  of  the  missions  in 
Newfoundland  by  the  Methodist  phrase,  «  The  New- 
foundland District/' 


1 

TW 

1       ' 

i 

17 


'* 


11  * 


CHAPTER    VI. 


NKWFOUNIJ^AND  DISTRICT — PLAN  FOR  THE  MANAGEMENT  OF  THB 
MISSIONS — BAY  CIRCUITS  —  GREAT  FIRE  —  BOSTON  CITIZENS  — 
BONA  VISTA  CIRCUIT  —  PERSECUTION  —  THE  FISHERY  —  THE  WINTER 
SEASON. 

BY  the  conference  of  1815,  the  missions  of  New- 
foundland were  formed  into  a  district,  and  stand 
thus  on  the  minutes :  — 

Carbonear,  —  Sampson  Busby,  * 

Blackhead,  —  William  Ellis, 

Port  de  Grave,  —  John  Pickavant, 

Island  Cove,  —  John  Lewis,  Sen., 

St.  Johns,  —  Thomas  Hickson, 

Bona  VISTA,  —  James  Hickson, 

"William  Ellis,  Chairman  of  the  District. 

This  year  the  conference  gave  a  plan  for  the  man- 
agement of  our  missions,  the  substance  of  which 
was :  — 

*'  That  the  missions  and  missionaries  shall  be  superintended,  dur- 
ing the  intervals  of  the  sittings  of  the  conference,  by  an  "  Execu- 
tive Committee. 

"  The  spiritual  concerns  of  the  missions  shall  be  under  the  ex- 
clusive superintendence  of  the  conference. 

"  A  general  report  of  the  state  of  our  missions  shall  be  annually- 
prepared  by  the  Executive  Committee,  and,  if  approved,  shall  be 
published  and  circulated." 

In  the  year  1818  this  plan  was  fully  matured ;  our 
missionary  society  was  organized  ;  and  the  "  Laws  and 
regulations  of  the  General  Wesleyan  Methodist  Mis- 
sionary Society,"  as  they  appear  in  our  "  Annual  Mis- 
sionary Report,"  were  enacted  by  the  conference. 

(194) 


.      K 


NEWFOUNDLAND    DISTRICT. 


196 


Carbonear,  Blackhead,  Port  De  Grave,  and  Island 
Cove  are  situated  on  the  north  shore  of  Conception 
Bay,  and  are  the  places  where  our  earlicist  missionaries 
labored,  and  where  the  inhabitants  generally  had  never 
heard  any  other  than  Methodist  preaching  ;  so  that  they 
almost  considered  Methodism  the  "established  reli- 
gion ;  "  and,  whether  they  were  "  born  again  "  or  not, 
would  often  say,  "  I  was  born  a  Methodist."  The  only 
opposition  our  missionaries  met  with  here  was  the  de- 
pravity of  the  human  heart,  which,  by  the  grace  of 
God,  was  frequently  overcome,  for  very  many  went  to 
heaven  who  had  been  converted  on  the  north  shore. 

These  circuits  had  all  to  be  travelled  on  foot,  as  there 
were  few  horses,  and  no  roads ;  and  the  houses  being  all 
built  by  the  sea-shore,  and  around  the  different  coves 
and  harbors,  the  paths  were  of  necessity  rugged,  diffi- 
cult, and  laborious.  And  how  dexterously  he  ascended 
the  "sculpin  liighlands,"  climbed  up  Job's  Cove 
Droke,  toiled  through  the  sands  at  Northern  Bay, 
waded  the  Northern  Gut,  or  plodded  through  Short's' 
Marsh,  would  furnish  a  theme  for  conversation  to  the 
weary  traveller,  as  he  sat  by  the  cheerful  evening  fire, 
and  partook  of  the  kind  hospitalities  of  these  proverbi- 
ally hospitable  people. 

St.  Johns  now,  for  the  first  time,  appears  on  our  list 
of  stations.  For  several  years  after  •:  •  mission  was 
commenced  in  the  bay,  we  had  but  little  interest  in  the 
capital,  and  the  missionaries  could  only  pay  it  an  occa- 
sional visit.  But  some  of  our  peojDle,  who  had  resided 
in  Harbor  Grace,  removed  to  St.  Johns,  and  among 
them  we  might  mention  Messrs.  Jonathan  Parsons'] 
William  Freeman,  and  James  Lilly ;  also  Mr.  Mark 
Coxen,  who  had  been  in  the  army,  and  had  heard 
Methodist  preaching  in  different  places,  and  Mr.  James 


196  NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    IT3    MISSIONARIES. 


fli 


mi 


Bailey,  who  had  been  a  member  of  our  society  in  Encr- 
land. 

The  only  two  Protestant  places  of  worship  were  the 
Episcopal  church,  where  no  pretensions  were  made  to 
teach  experimental  religion,  and  a  Congregational 
church,  where  the  teaching  was  ultra  Calvinistic.  Such 
theology  did  not  suit  the  little  Wesleyan  band  there. 
They,  therefore,  invited  the  preachers  from  the  bay, 
who,  on  coming  to  St.  Johns,  were  received  with  much 
kindness,  and  preached  with  much  success. 

St.  Johns  is  the  fifth  place  on  this  station  sheet,  be- 
cause that  was  its  Methodistic  "  status  "  at  that  time. 
Our  people  this  year  put  up  a  neat,  substantial  chapel, 
and  our  cause  seemed  likely  to  prosper  in  the  metropo- 
lis. In  the  town,  during  the  autumn,  everything  ap- 
peared encouraging;  trade  was  brisk,  money  was 
plenty,  provisions  in  abundance,  and  all  anticipated  a 
pleasant  winter.  Ho\/  vain  are  our  hopes  of  happi- 
ness when  built  on  earthly  things  I 

In  the  month  of  February  a  fire  broke  out,  which 
speedily  laid  two-thirds  of  the  town  in  ashes.  It  racred 
from  River  Head,  which  is  the  upper  part  of  the 
harbor,  to  Magotty  Cove,  destroying  private  build- 
ings, shops,  merchants'  stores  filled  with  provisions, 
wharves,  some  ships,  the  custom-house  and  court- 
house, and  our  own  chapel,  not  yet  completely  fin- 
ished. By  this  dreadful  conflagration  hundreds  of  peo- 
ple were  turned  into  the  street,  houseless  and  penniless, 
where  they  erected  sheds,  or  raised  canvas  tents,  and 
dwelt  there  for  the  remainder  of  that  severe  winter, 
until  the  sun's  return  toward  the  summer  solstice 
sliould  enable  the  ships  from  Britain  to  bring  their 
**  sjpring  supplies,"  and  cause  the  fish  to  return  to  the 
shore  to  give  employment  and  food  to  the  starving  mul- 
titude. 


We  h 


HOSTON    CITIZENS. 


ith 


197 


s  mention  with  very  great  pleasure 
nevolence  and  crreat  Cln-i^tinn  kindness  of  our  Ameri- 
can friends  in  ti.e  city  of  ]J(,ston,  in  affbrdinrr  projnpt 
relief  to  the  sufferers  in  St.  Joluis,  but  for  which  relief 
many  persons  must  have  died.  In  those  days  there 
were  not  only  no  steamers,  but  there  was  no  post-office 
or  regular  mail  from  St.  Johns  to  any  part  of  the 
worlu.  Letters  were  sent  by  private  conveyance,  or 
given  to  captains  of  vessels,  who  charged  "  a  postage," 
and  sometimes  a  lieavy  one.  The  writer  has  often  paid 
3.V.  6d.  sterling  —  82i  cents  —  for  a  letter  from  Eng- 
land. " 

To  let  their  distress  be  known,  and  to  bring  a  little 
relief,  the  merchants  of  St.  Johns  despatched  a  private 
vessel  to  Boston  ;  and  as  soon  as  the  news  of  this  awful 
calamity  had  spread  in  that  city,  a  public  meeting  was 
called,  a  vessel  was  chartered  and  loaded  with  provis- 
ions and  clothing,  a  crew  of  men  nobly  volunteered  to 
navigate  the  vessel,  at  that  dangerous  season,  to  the 
rocky  shores  of  the  sea-girt  island,  to  carry  this  splen- 
did donation  to  those  who  were  perishing  from  hunger 
and  from  cold.  A  kind  Providence  safely  brought  the 
ship  into  the  harbor,  where  her  entire  cargo  of  provis- 
ions, clothing  and  blankets,  were  distributed  gratui- 
tously. 

Many  of  the  citizens  of  Boston,  who  gave  their  con- 
tributions to  the  sufferers  by  fire  in  St.  Johns,  in  Feb- 
ruary, 1816,  aro  now  gone  the  "  way  of  all  the 
earth  ;  "  yet  their  kindness  is  not  forgotten,  and  we 
would  say,  all  honor  be  to  their  memory.  There 
were  two  other  severe  fires  in  St.  Johns,  which  followed 
this  great  conflagration,  by  which  the  town  was  almost 
ruined,  and  it  was  several  years  before  it  recovered  its 
former  prosperity. 

17* 


'"is 


198 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSION AKIES. 


PMhii 


In  til 


El 


summer  of  1816,  Mr.  PIckavant  went  ^ 

land  to  beg  for  means  to  rebuild  our  chapel  in  St. 
Johns,  which  the  losses  our  people  had  sustained  by 
the  fires  rendered  impossible  for  them  to  accomplish 
unassisted. 

Near  the  time  of  the  "  great  fire  "  in  St.  Johns,  a 
new  chapel,  nearly  finished  in  Carbonear,  was  also 
accidentally  destroyed  by  fire.  Mr.  Pickavant,  there- 
fore, included  both  cases  in  his  appeals  to  the  British 
public.  When  he  arrived  in  England,  the  Rev. 
George  Smith,  who,  as  we  have  seen,  was  formerly  a 
missionary  in  Newfoundland,  rendered  great  assistance 
to  Mr.  Pickavant  in  soliciting  subscriptions  for  this 
important  object. 

Our  Missionary  Committee,  in  their  first  annual 
report  (1816),  which  is  entitled,  "  The  Report  of  the 
Executive  Committee  for  the  Management  of  the  Mis- 
sions," thus  speaks  of  this  matter :  — 

"  The  destruction  of  the  newly  erected  chapel  at  St.  Johns,  by 
fire,  in  February  last,  was  an  event  which  not  only  left  the  con- 
gregation without  a  place  of  worship,  but  the  trustees  charged 
with  a  debt  of  £500,  which  remained  on  the  premises,  after  a  very 
liberal  subscription  among  the  inhabitants  had  been  made.  This 
calamity  excited  the  compassion  of  many  persons  in  this  country 
to  contribute  toward  the  re-erection  of  the  chapel,  and  as  the 
sum  already  obtained  is  still  greatly  inadequate,  should  any  benev- 
olent persons  wish  to  assist  a  poor  but  pious  people  to  rebuild  their 
chapel,  the  committee  will  gladly  receive  any  sums  for  that  spe- 
cific purpose." 

The  result  of  this  appeal  was  a  noble  subscription 
from  the  English  people  of  £  2,017  Ss.  7^. 

The  committee,  in  their  report  for  1819,  make  this 
statement :  — 

"  The  chapels  iii  St.  Johns  and  Carbonear,  formerly  burnt 
down,  have  been  rebuilt,  chiefly  by  the  kind  sympathy  and  exer- 


BON  AVISTA    CIRCUIT. 


199 


to  Eng- 
1  in  St. 
ined  by 
omplish 

Fohns,  a 
vas  also 
t,  tliere- 
)  British 
le   Rev. 

merlv  a 
;sistanfe 
for  this 

annual 
't  of  the 
the  Mis- 

Johna,  by 
the  con- 
3  charged 
ler  a  very 
de.  This 
s  country 
id  as  the 
ny  benev- 
mild  their 
that  spe- 

jcription 
ake  this 


rly  burnt 
and  exer- 


tions  of  the  friends  in  England,  who,  in  collections  made  for  this 
purpose  by  Mr.  Piekavant  and  Mr.  G.  Smith,  contributed  the  sum 
of  S.2,017  5s.  Id." 

A  portion  of  this  sum  was  paid  to  Carbonear,  but  the 
greater  portion  was  paid  to  St.  Johns  ;  and  by  the  help 
of  these  moneys  the  friends  in  both  these  towns  were^ 
enabled  to  rebuild  their  sanctuaries,  and  also  to  erect 
substantial  residences  for  the  ministers  who  from  time 
to  time  should  be  stationed  amongst  them.  Since  those 
times,  God  has  blessed  our  people  with  much  temporal 
prosperity,  by  which  they  have  been  enabled  for  many 
years  to  pay  their  ministers  handsomely  and  contribute 
to  the  missionary  cause,  and  to  all  other  Christian  and 
benevolent  objects  to  which  they  are  invited. 

Bonavista  is  last  on  this  list  of  stati*  ..  The  dis- 
tance of  this  place  from  St.  Johns  is  about  one  hundred 
miles.  In  consequence  of  the  distance  of  Bonavista 
from  Conception  Bay,  and  the  paucity  of  mission- 
aries, it  was  impossible  to  visit  it,  except  occasionally. 
Our  little  church  there,  however,  had  been  kept  together 
by  the  faithful  labors  of  two  local  brethren,  Messrs. 
Saint  and  Cole,  who  in  turn  preached  every  Sabbath, 
and  met  the  classes  ;  but  the  appointment  of  a  regular 
missionary  to  the  Harbor  was  hailed  by  our  people 
with  great  delight. 

The  population  of  Bonavista  was  estimated  at  about 
fifteen  hundred  souls,  of  whom  three-fourths  were  Prot- 
estants; and  the  Episcopalians  and  Wesleyans  were 
the  only  religious  bodies  among  the  Protestants. 

The  Episcopalians  at  that  time  never  had  a  minister 
stationed  among  them  ;  but  they  had  a  layman,  who  had 
formerly  been  a  fisherman,  authorized  to  read  prayers 
on  the  Sabbath.  He  also  baptized  the  children,  and 
married  the  people. 


200 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSION aKIES. 


As  all  the  Protestants  had  been  Churchmen,  the  in- 
troduction of  Methodism  was  first  looked  upon  with 
contempt ;  then  it  was  opposed,  and  afterward  perse- 
cuted as  far  as  the  parties^lad  the  means.      Opposition 
began  most  undisguisedly  to  show  itself  when  a  Wes- 
leyan  church  was  about  to  be  erected,  and  a  Wesleyan 
riiissionarj  stationed  in  the  placeu      Our  people,  intent 
upon  their  object,  braved  all  opposition,  and  put  up 
their  church,  when  the  first  open  act  of  persecution 
occurred.     It  was  in  reference  to  the  flag-staff  placed  in 
front  of  the  building.     The  reader  must  be  informed 
that,  as  there  were  no  bells  in  the  out-harbors,  the  si<v- 
nal  for  divine  service  was  to  haul  up  a  flag  in  the  front 
of  the  church,  one  hour  before  service  began  ;  drop  it 
half-mast  at  the  end  of  thirty  minutes,   and  haul  it 
down   as   the   minister   entered.      As   the    Wesleyan 
church  was  nearly  opposite  to  the  Episcopal  church, 
the  officials  of  the  latter  intimated  that  it   would  be 
considered  a  gross  insult,  if  the  Methodists  should  dare 
to  hoist  a  flag  in  the  presence  of  their  Episcopalian 
brethren ;  and  that  such  an  audacious  act  should  not 
be  permitted.     No  notice  was  taken  of  this   kind  of 
talk,  and  when  the  church  was   fit  for  occupancy,  our 
people  proceeded    to    erect  a  flag-staff.     The  worthy 
magistrate,  who  was   a   zealous   son   of  the    Church, 
thought  this  was  too  bad,  and  he  must  put  forth  all  his 
power  and   authority   to    prevent   such   an   outrage. 
Was  it  not  as  much  his  business  to  stop  the  progress  of 
Methodism  as  to  ke  ,p  the  king's  peace  ?     Believing  this 
to  be  his  duty,  he  came  over  to  the  mission  ground,  and 
with  much  emphasis    demanded  :  — 


liPIII 


"  What  are  you  Methodists  doing  there  ?  " 
Ans.    "  We  are  putting  up  a  flag-staff." 
Magistrate.     "  >\  hat  do  you  want  of  a  flag-staff  there 
And.    •'  To  hoist  a  flag  as  a  signal  for  divine  service." 


?' 


\h 


III 


PERSECUTION. 


201 


Mag.    "  What,  directly  opposite  the  church  V  " 
Ans.     "  We  are  not  aware  that  "     are  doing  any  wrong." 
Mag.    «'  I  tell  you  it  shall  not  b.      ad  I  forbid  it." 
Ans.    «  We  think  you  have  no  right  to  interfere  with  us,  and 
we  shall  not  regard  your  prohibition.' 

Mag.     «  Well,  I  will  allow  you  to  hoist  your  flag  on  any  day 
but  Sunday."  .  ' 

Ans.    "  That  is  the  day  on  which  we  intend  to  hoist  our  flag." 
Mag.    "If  you  dare  to  hoist  your  flag  on  next  Sunday,  I  will 
certainly  cut  it  down." 

The  Sabbath  came,  and,  regardless  of  his  worship, 
the  flag  was  raised  at  the  appointed  hour.  As  soon  as 
our  justice  heard  that  the  Methodist  flag  was  up,  he 
came  in  great  wrath  to  punish  such  manifest  contumacy. 
He  was  accompanied  by  his  son  Jared,  who  was  con- 
stable, and  who  brought  an  axe  to  cut  down  the  obnox- 
ious flag-staff:  Considerably  excited,  and  a  little  out 
of  breath,  he  said  to  the  people  who  were  now  assem- 
bling for  worship ;  — 

"  Did  I  not  forbid  your  hoisting  your  flag  on  Sunday  ?  " 
Ans.     "  You  did ;  but  we  have  not  regarded  your  order,  in  this 
case,  as  we  thought  you  had  no  right  to  interfere  with  us." 

Mag.  "  I  will  let  you  Methodists  know  that  I  have  power,  and 
I  will  cut  down  the  pole."  Calling  to  his  son,  he  said,  "Jared, 
cut  down  that  flag-staff"."  The  axe  was  raised,  but  ere  the  blow 
impinged  the  wood,  Mr.  Saint  said,  "  Sir,  take  care  what  you  do, 
for  I  have  taken  advice,  and  find  we  have  done  nothing  wrong,  it 
you  will  'fi?are '  to  cut  down  the  pole,  I  will  give  five  pounds."  At 
the  sound  of  the  word  "  advice,"  his  worship  was  startled,  and  in- 
stantly called  to  his  son  to  "stop ;"  and  then  addressing  the  peo- 
ple who  were  now  assembled  in  considerable  numbers,  he  said, 
"  I  will  not  cut  down  your  flag  to-day ;  but  mind  you  never 
raise  it  again  on  Sunday." 

His* worship  retired  amidst  the  jeers  of  the  peojjle, 
and  himself  afterward  taking  "  advice,"  he  ascertained 
that  he  had  gone  too  far,  and  therefore  left  the  Method- 
ists to  hoist  their  flag  whenever  they  thought  proper. 

17* 


202 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


The  strange  conduct  and  persecuting  spirit  of  this 
Bona  vista  magist  ate  were  afterwards  satirized  in  a  piece 
of  poetry,  from  which  we  extract  the  following  :  — 

"  Some  few  years  ago,  to  our  harbor  there  came 
Some  preachers  from  England  ;  they're  Methodists  by  name; 
They  opposed  our  whole  conduct,  and  said,  '  Ye  are  wrong ; 
*  Repent,  or  yo'll  perish,'  was  the  theme  of  their  song. 

A  chapel  and  flag-staff  they  soon  did  erect, 
Though  'gainst  Bonavist  law  it  was  levelled  direct  j 
'  I'll  cut  down  your  flag-staff,'  said  one  then  in  power, 
'  If  you  raise  up  your  flag  at  the  specified  hour." 

This  petty  persecution  did  Methodism  no  hari.  .  and 
tlie  labors  of  Brother  James  Hickson  were  gi  atly 
blessed.  Our  church  was  quickened  and  consolidated, 
and  it  has  continued  to  prosper  ever  since.  Other  per- 
secution, however,  our  people  afterward  had  to  experi- 
ence, which  shall  be  related  in  proper  time. 

As  the  Cod  Fishery  was  almost  the  only  occupa- 
tion in  which  the  people  of  Newfoundland  were  en- 
gaged at  the  time  of  which  we  are  now  writing,  the 
reader  will  not  be  displeased  with  the  following  ac- 
count of  the  manner  in  which  that  important  business 
was  conducted :  — 

Arable  spots  are  found  all  round  the  shores  of  New- 
foundland, which,  when  cleared  of  stone  and  cultivated, 
produce  luxuriant  grass  and  culinary  vegetables,  the 
latter  unsurpassed  for  richness  of  taste  by  the  produc- 
tions of  the  best  cultivated  gardens  in  Europe.  Whole 
districts  may  be  found  to  compensate  the  agriculturist 
for  his  toil  and  expense  ;  yet  sterility  is  the  chargj:!ter, 
and  not  the  exception  of  the  country  at  large  ;  but  this 
sterility  of  soil  is  more  than  counterbalanced  by  its  sub- 
marine wealth,  gathered  and  brought  «  land  by  the 
skill  and    ceaseless   industry  of  her   hardy  fishermen. 


THE   FISHERY. 


203 


As  soon  as  stern  winter  has  passed  away,  and  the  pow- 
erful influence  of  Sol's  rays  has  loosened  the  icy  fetters 
by  which  the  streams  were  bound  and  the  land  \/as 
covered,  prodigious  shoals  of  fish  come  upon  the  coast 
to  give  food  to  the  hungry,  and  replete  the  exhausted 
stores  of  the  now  anxious  inhabitants. 

It  was  the  large  quantities  of  fish  that  excited  the 
astonishment  of  the  discoverers  of  the  island.  There 
is  still  extant  a  document  published  by  Captain  Hayes 
(the  second  in  command  to  Sir  Humphrey  Gilbert,  who 
made  a  voyage  to  Newfoundland  in  the  year  1583,  in 
the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth),  relating  to  the  fish  with 
which  its  waters  abounded.  I  will  give  an  extract  from 
this  curious  document,  or  report,  in  the  antique  language 
and  orthography  in  which  it  was  written ;  — 

"  Touching  the  commodities  of  this  countrie,  serving  (answering) 
either  for  sustentation  of  inhabitants,  or  for  maintenance  of  traf- 
fique,  there  may  be  diuers:  so  and  it  seemeth  nature  hath  recom- 
pensed that  only  defect  and  incommoditie  of  some  sharpe  cold,  by 
many  benefits :  viz.,  with  incredible  quantitie,  and  no  less  varietie 
of  kinds  of  fish  in  the  sea  and  fresh  waters,  as  Trouts,  Salmons, 
other  fish  to  us  unknown  :  Also  Cod  which  alone  draweth  many 
nations  thither,  and  is  become  the  most  famous  fishing  of  the 
world.  AbundancejDf  whales,  for  which  also  is  a  very  great  trade 
in  the  bayes  of  Placentia,  and  the  Grand  Bay,  where  is  made 
trane  oils  of  the  whale.  Herring,  the  largest  that  have  been  heard 
of,  exceeding  the  Alstrond  herring  of  Norway :  but  hitherto  was 
neuer  benefit  taken  of  the  herring  fishing.  There  are  other  fish 
very  delicate,  namely  the  Bonito,  Lobsters,  Turburt,  with  others 
infinite  not  sought  after :  Oysters  hauing  pearle,  but  not  orient  in 
colour :  I  took  it  by  reason  they  were  not  gathered  in  season." 

The  above  was  written  near  three  hundred  years 
ago,  and  with  the  exception  of  the  "  oysters  having 
pearle,"  nearly  the  whole  can  still  be  predicated  of  the 
fish  and  fishery,  on  the  coast  and  m  the  streams  of 


204 


NKWl'onNDLAND    AND    ITS    MiaHIONARlES. 


Novvfoundliind.  Whales  are  often  very  numerous,  but 
tlie  whale  iishery  is  not  now  ])rosec'uted.  In  some  parts 
herring,  sahnon,  antl  mackerel  fishing  is  carried  on  to 
a  considerable  extent ;  but  cod-fish  is  the  staple  of  the 
country,  and  its  fishery  occupies  almost  the  entire  la- 
bor of  the  people.  The  systematic  and  universal  prac- 
tice of  the  cod-fishery  has  necessarily  produced  three 
classes  in  society,  —  merchants,  planters,  and  fishermen. 

The  merchants  of  Newfoundland  are  a  respectable 
and  wealthy  class  of  men.  There  are  a  number  of 
small  nierchants,  but  the  principals  of  the  largo  firtns 
mostly  reside  in  England  or  Scotland,  and  have  agents 
in  one,  sometimes  in  several  parts  of  the  island.  Agen- 
cies of  these  large  firms  are  also  in  different  parts  of 
the  continent  of  Europe,  as  Hamburg,  Oporto,  Lisbon, 
Malaga,  and  other  ports  up  the  Mediterranean.  The 
merchants'  premises  are  called  merchants'  rooms,  and 
are  always  by  the  watei'-side.  Spacious  wharves  for 
landing  goods  extend  sufficiently  far  for  ships  to  lie 
alongside.  On  their  wharves  are  fish  stores,  salt  stores, 
antl  provision  stores ;  and  at  the  head  of  wharves  are 
dry  gootls'  stores,  all  of  which  are  generally  well  sup- 
plied. Connected  with  the  merchants'  room  is  a  staff 
of  clerks  and  mechanics,  as  coopers,  carpenters,  and 
blacksmiths,  for  very  few  of  these  reside  at  the  fishing 
stations. 

The  second  class  is  the  planters.  The  word  planter 
at  once  conveys  to  the  mind  the  idea  of  cultivation, 
and  would  lead  the  reader  to  suppose  that  planters  were 
farmers,  or  were  in  some  way  engaged  in  agricultural 
pui-suits.  But  this  is  not  the  meaning  of  the  word  in 
tliis  country.  The  word  was  applied,  when  America 
was  discovered,  to  all  settlements  west  of  the  Atlantic, 
which  were  called  "  pluRtations."     The  terra  **  plant- 


THE    FISHERY. 


205 


and 


er,"  in  the  Newfoundland  vocabulary,  means  the  owner 
of  the  fishing-room,  wlio  is  himself  a  fisherman,  and 
not  a  farmer.  A  fow  potatoes,  but  seldom  sufficient 
for  the  use  of  his  family  during  the  year,  was  the  whole 
amount  of  his  plantation. 

The  planters  were  not  an  educated  body  of  men,  in 
the  times  of  which  we  are  speaking ;  there  were  bu 
few  schools,  and  their  constant  employment  in  reference 
to  the  fisliery  rendered  education  very  difficult  for  them 
to  acquire,     liu^  their  kindness  cannot  be  excelled  by 
any  people  upon  the  face  of  the  earth. 

By  the  word  fishing-room  is   meant  the  planter's 
premises,  where  the  fish  is  made  or  cured.      On  the 
flshing-room    is   the    fishing-stage.      This    is   a    long 
shed,  built  out  sufficiently  far  in  the  water  for  the  fish- 
ing-boats  to  lie  at  the  stage-head.     The  stage  is  sup- 
ported by  posts  fixed  in  crevices  of  the  rocks,  against 
which  the   sea   often  beats,  and  sometimes  with  suffi- 
cient violence    to   throw  down  the   building.     These 
stage-posts  are  of  different  lengths,  but  usually  from 
ten  to  fifteen  feet,  and  are  braced  with  shorter  posts  or 
shores,  which  rest  against  the  perpendiculars,  at  an  an- 
gle of  about  forty-five  degrees.     Upon  these  posts  are 
nailed  the  stage-poles  horizontally,  which  are  the  only 
floor  of  the  building.     The  sides  are  rough-boarded, 
and  covered  with  rinds,  or  the  bark  of  the  spruce-tree, 
procured  as  afterwards  described.     The  length  of  the 
stage  is  sometimes  fifty  feet ;  but  it  is  shorter  or  longer 
according  to  circumstances.     Five  or  six  feet  of  the 
building  near  the  water  is  left  uncovered  as  a  place  to 
throw  the  fish  from  the  boat.     This  space  is  called  the 
stage-head.     Entering  the  stage  from  the  stage-head, 
we  first  see  the  splitting-table.     This  is  usually  on  the 
right  hand,  as  being  most  convenient  for  handling  the 


h'l 


i'  ■ 


18 


206 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


!|i|   '' 


lull" 


fish.  The  splitting-table  is  that  whereon  the  fish  is 
split  and  prepared  for  salting.  It  has  a  trunk-hole  for 
dropping  the  heads  and  offal  of  the  fish  into  the  sea ; 
and  a  gully  through  which  to  drop  the  liver,  which 
forms  the  cod-oil,  into  a  barrel  placed  under  the  table. 
Neiir  the  middle  of  the  stage  is  a  large  vat  for  washing 
the  fish  after  it  has  been  sufficiently  long  in  salt.  At  the 
upper  end  of  the  stage  is  the  green  fish,  or  fish  under 
salt.  Near  this  end  of  the  stage  is,  also,  *'  the  water- 
horse,"  that  is,  the  fish  after  it  has  been  washed  from 
the  salt  in  the  vat,  and  left  to  drain,  preparatory  to  its 
being  taken  out  of  the  stage  to  dry. 

We  now  leave  the  stage,  and,  passing  an  oil-house 
and  a  fish-house,  a  small  house  to  keep  the  dry  fish,  we 
come  to  the  fish-flake.  This  is  a  scaffolding  more  or 
Jess  extensive,  according  to  "^^he  business  of  the  planter. 
The  fishing-stages  along  the  north  shore  are  always  re- 
moved in  the  fall,  unless,  perchance,  the  sea  knocks 
them  down  and  carries  them  away ;  but  the  fish-flake 
remains  durincj  winter.  The  flake  is  from  eight  to  ten 
feet  high,  built  like  the  stage,  with  perpendicular  posts 
and  shores.  Upon  these  posts  are  laid  the  longers, 
which  are  slight  poles  at  a  few  inches'  distance  from 
each  other,  and  these  longers  are  covered  with  spruce 
boughs,  upon  which  the  fish  are  laid  to  dry.  The  fish- 
ing-boats and  all  the  apparatus  for  the  fishery,  as  nets, 
hooks,  lines,  &c.,  are  also  the  property  of  the  planter. 

The  third  class  are  the  fishermen.  These  are  prop- 
eily  the  laborers,  and  their  ranks  are  supplied  from  the 
youngsters  brought  from  Europe  by  the  merchants. 
The  merchants  were  accustomed,  early  in  the  spring, 
to  bring  a  number  of  young  men  from  England  or  Ire- 
land, who  are  engaged,  or  shipped  in  their  native  land 
for  the  fishery  ;  and  the  time  for  which  they  are  shipped 


THE   FISHERY. 


207 


is  two  summers  aiKi  one  winter.  These  young  men, 
wlien  they  arrive,  as  are  all  strangers  when  they  first 
land,  are  called  youngsters.  When  they  have  spent 
one  summer  and  one  winter,  they  receive  the  title  of 
white  nose;  hut  when  their  full  time  of  service  is  ex- 
pired, they  receive  the  honorahle  appellation  of  oldsters. 
As  soon  as  the  frost  is  out  of  the  ground  in  the 
spring,  the  planter  does  all  his  planting,  which  consists 
simply  of  putting  a  few  potatoes  in  the  ground.  The 
manure  used  is  mostly  kelp,  gathered  from  the  sea- 
shore, and  brought  on  men's  backs,  in  bags.  The  pota- 
toes are  planted  in  long  beds,  about  four  feet  wide. 
They  are  put  into  the  ground  with  a  narrow  spade  ; 
trenches  are  dug  on  each  side  of  the  bed,  and  the  earth 
thrown  upon  the  seed.  The  remainder  of  cultivation, 
both  of  potatoes  and  the  kitchen  garden,  is  left  to  the 
women. 

This  done,  the  planter,  very  early  in  the  month  of 
May,  proceeds  to  ship  both  his  boat's  crew  and  his 
shore  crew.  He  generally  commands  the  boat  himself, 
and  his  title  is  skipper.  He  requires  two  men  with 
him.  One  is  called  midshipman,  because  his  station  is 
the  middle  of  the  boat ;  the  other  man  is  called  the 
fore-shipman,  because  his  station  is  forward.  The  fore- 
shipman  is  sometimes  called  captain ;  but  the  captain 
of  a  fishing-boat  is  the  cook.  The  captain  is  frequently 
a  youngster. 

The  shore  crew  are  mostly  females.  The  planter's 
wife  is  general!y  skipper  of  the  shore  crew.  If  she 
has  no  daughters  sufficient  for  the  work,  she  hires  or 
ships  (for  the  same  word  is  used)  what  help  she  may 
require.  In  the  case  of  the  girls,  as  well  as  the  men, 
a  written  agreement  is  made  which  defines  the  work 
each  person  is  to  perform.     This  agreement  is  called 


n 


208 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


the  shipping-paper.  Thus,  one  is  shipped  to  tend  table 
and  cut  tlu'oats ;  which  means  to  put  the  fish  on  the 
fishing-table  from  the  stage-head,  and  cut  the  throats  of 
fish.  Another  female  is  shipped  as  splitter,  and  a  third 
as  Salter.  These  shipping-papers,  afler  stating  the  work 
to  be  performed,  usually  close  with  this  sen<-ence,  "  And 
I  am  to  do  anything  else  for  the  good  of  the  voyage." 

The  crew  shipped,  tho  first  thing  is  to  "  come  in  col- 
lar," that  is,  to  commence  the  spring  work.  It  takes 
its  name  from  part  of  the  mooring  of  the  boat,  in  the 
form  of  a  horse-collar,  which  is  passed  over  the  stem  of 
the  boat^  and  holds  her  without  an  anchor.  On  com- 
ing in  collar,  the  boat's  crew  go  rinding.  The  warm 
sun  in  the  month  of  May  causes  the  sap  of  trees  to 
flow,  and  forms  a  large  quantity  of  cambium  under 
the  bark,  by  which  it  is  easily  removed  from  the 
tree.  About  the  tenth  of  May,  the  rinding  parties  go 
into  the  woods  and  strip  the  rind  or  bark  from  the 
spruce-trees  for  about  four  feet  of  their  height,  tie  it  in 
bundles,  and  brmg  it  ou-t  on  their  backs  (their  only 
means  of  transport)  to  the  fishing-room,  where  it  is 
used  for  covering  the  fish  when  nearly  dry,  and  also 
for  covering  their  stages  and  small  houses. 

Rinding  being  over,  they  next  rebuild  their  fishing- 
stages,  and  repair  their  flakes ;  then  go  to  the  mer- 
chant's store  for  their  spring  supply.  For  the  boat,  is 
wanted  canvas,  cordage,  hooks,  lines,  and  small  an- 
chors ;  for  the  general  purposes  of  the  fishery,  salt, 
nets,  lines,  twines,  knives,  pues,  provisions,  bread, 
which  always  means  sea-biscuit,  flour,  pork,  butter,  tea, 
and  molasses.  Thus  prepared,  the  fishery  commences 
about  the  middle  of  May.  The  first  bait  used  is  her- 
ring. These  are  taken  in  herring-nets ;  but  the  cod 
has  not  yet  struck  m  for  the  shore,  and  is  therefore 


THE    FISHERY. 


209 


»> 


only  taken  in  small  ([nantities.  About  the  first  of  June, 
the  caplin  strikes  in,  an''  then  is  the  New  found  I  and 
harvest.  This  small  fish,  about  the  size  of  a  smelt, 
comes  to  the  shore  to  spawn,  followed  by  tno  lar<Ter 
fish  in  the  most  inconceivable  shoals.  This  is  called 
the  "  caplin  scull."  The  cai)lin  is  sometimes  take)i  by 
hand  with  a  dip-net ;  at  other  times,  it  is  hauled  in  a 
caplin  seine.  A  certain  number  of  men  are  appointed 
in  each  place,  to  attend  the  seine,  and  su])ply  the  boats 
with  bait.  The  toil  of  the  fisherman  is  now  incessant, 
so  that  he  is  scarcely  out  of  the  boat  for  the  whole 
week. 

Soon  after  twelve  o'clock  on  Monday  morning,  he  is 
away  after  bait,  in  order  to  be  on  the  fishing-ground, 
which  is  some  leagues  oflf,  by  the  dawn  of  day.     He 
contmues  fishing  all  day,  and  returns  perhaps  at  sun- 
set with  his  put  of  fish,  throws  it  upon  the  stage-head, 
and  immediately  leaves  for  bait,  in  order  to  get  to  the 
fishing-ground  again  by  daylight  on  Tuesday  morning  ; 
brings  in  his  second    put  in   the  evening,  and  so  on 
through  the  week.      The  fisherman's  clothes  are  sel- 
dom off,  except  on  Saturday,  and  Sabbath  evenings. 
I  once  heard  a  fisherman,  on  Friday  evening,  say,  "  I 
will  now  pull  off  my  boots,  as  I  have  not  had  them  off 
since  Monday  morning."      The  capHn  scull  lasts  for 
six  weeks,  and  is  followed  by  the  squid  scull.     The 
squid  comes  u4)on  the  coast  in  the  beginning  of  August, 
and  continues  until  the  middle  of  September.      It  is  a 
small,  round  fish,  about  five  or  six  inches  long.     Its 
color  is  a  greenish-red,  and  it  is  luminous  in  the  dark. 
It  has  from  eight  to  ten  arms  or  suckers,  by  which  it 
fastens  itself  to  different  substances,  and  with  which  it 
grasps  its  prey.    It  also  has  a  bag,  containing  an  ink-like 
matter,  Avhich  is  its  means  of  defence.     It  ejects  this 


1  i 


210 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


I 


11 


black  liquid  w^  t*n  pursued.  Some  writers  call  it  the 
ink-Hsh.  Th'  'qii  i  is  taken  by  ji<^s>"g»  »nd  is  the 
best  buff  »rt*>r  I  ^u  t  ,plin.  With  the  departure  of  the 
squid,  ihf  It^hery  be^i  i§  to  lag  ;  but  aiiotlier  small  fish, 
call»'(i  thsi  lance,  supplies  bait  for  a  short  turio  longer. 

L«t  us  now  look  at  the  I 'bor  of  the  "shore-crew," 
and  we  fball  see  that  the  labor  of  thf*  females  is  quite 
as  incessant,  and  «ven  more  exhausting    than  the  labor 
of  the  men.     When   the  men  liave  thrown  the  fish 
^  upon  the  stage-head,  it  is  put  upon  the  splitting-table, 

by  one  of  the  females,  with  a  pue.     The  pue  is  an  in- 
strument having  a  long  handle  like  a  hay-fork,  with  on- 
ly one  prong,  which  is  fixed  in  the  centre  of  the  stick. 
This  prong  is  stuck  in  the  head  of  the  fish,  and  thus, 
with  great  ease  and  rapidity,  it  is  thrown  from  the  boat  to 
the  stage-head,  and  from  thence  to  the  table.    The  throat 
is  now  cut,  and  the  fish  passed  to  another  female,  who 
pu''H  off  the   head  and  the  offal,  drops  it  through  the 
tru ilk-hole  into  the  water ;  takes  out  the  liver,  and 
di  .ps  that  into  the  gully  ;  then  pushes  the  fish  across 
the  table  to  the  splitter,  who,  with  one  stroke  of  her 
knife,  takes  out  the  sound-bone,  and  drops  it  into  the 
water,  and  slides  the  fish  into  a  drudge-barrow.     The 
women  at  the  splitting-table  have  each  a  leather  apron, 
called  a  barvel,  which  fits  to  the  neck  and  covers  the 
dress.     When  the  drudge-barrow  is  full,  it  is  dragged  to 
the  upper  ena  of  the  stage,  where  the  fish  is  taken  out 
and  salted.     Tho  mistress  is  generally  the  Salter.     The 
stage-work  commences  in  the  evening,  as  soon  as  the 
fishing-boat  arrives,  and  if  the  put  of  fish  is  large,  will 
occupy  the  whole  night.     As  soon  as  the  sun  is  up 
next  morning,  1><  ,  females  have  to  carry  the  last  water- 
horse  from  the  s...   ; -    o  tho  flake,  a  distance  of  some 
fif^y  yards,  in  a  iuu  l-^arrow.      The  hand-barrow  is 


a  1  ''''^ 

t  fi 


THE   USHERY. 


211 


mado  by  nailing  a  few  short  i)ieces  of  board  on  two 
small  poles,  about  eitrht  feet  long  ;  and  's  carried  be- 
tween two  persons.     The  quantity  of  fish  in  tlio  w.iter- 
lioi-se  is  indefinite ;  it  simply  means  one  put  or  trip  of 
fibh,  that  liad  been  washed  from  the  salt  ^he  day  L  fore, 
and  left  to  drain  ;  sometimes  it  is  not  more  than  two  or 
three  quintals,  sometimes  it  is  ten  or  twelve;  bwt  each 
quintal   of   fish,  in  this  green  state,   is  calculated  to 
weigh  two  hundred  and  forty  pounds.     Breakfast  over, 
all  hands  away  into  tho  stage,  to  prepare  another  water- 
horse  for  tlir  next  uuy.      A  put  of  fish,  sufficiently 
salted,  is  thrown  into  the  vat ;  water  is  then  drawn  up 
with  a   n.pe  and   block,  put  in   the  vat,  and  the  salt 
is  washed  off;    the  fish    is  taken  out  of  the  vat  and 
left  to  drain.     This  is  the  water-horse.     The  water- 
horse  being  thus  prepared,  the  fish  spread  in  the  morn- 
ing has  to  be  turned  ;  after  which,  perhaps  an  hour  is 
taken  to  trench  the  potatoes  or  weed  the  garden.     In 
the  afternoon  the  dry  fish  has  to  be  put  in  piles  or  large 
round  heaps,  and  covered  with  rinds.     And  as  evening 
approaches,  the  fish  spread  in  the  morning  has  to  be 
taken  up  and  put  in  fagot,  or  little  heaps,  and  left  on 
the  flake  until  next  day,  when  it  is  again  spread.     The 
sun  is  nearly  down  by  the    time  the  fish  is  in  fagot, 
when  the  out-door  work  necessarily  ceases.     But  the 
poor,  exhausted  females  have  scarcely  sat  down  in  the 
dusk  of  the  summer  evening  to  take  a  little  refresh- 
ment, before  tlie  voice  of  one  of  the  boat's  crew  is 
heard :    '  Oorae,  missis,  a  fine  put  of  fish."     The  re- 
sponse to  this  is,  «  Come  girls,  finish  your  tea,  and  let 
us  get  to  work."     There  is  then  the  same  work  the 
second  night  as  the  first,  and  the  same  routine  of  labor 
the  next  day  as  has  been  already  described ;  and  thus 
it  continues  during  the  week,  uiitil  Saturday  night ;  so 


212         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


r»l  ^*^;- 


that  the  women,  no  more  than  the  men,  <ret  a"  nio-ht's 
rest.  Often  have  I  heard  the  women  complain  for 
want  of  sleep,  and  say,  "  If  I  had  but  two  hours' 
sleep  in  twenty-four,  I  could  stand  the  week's  labor ; 
but  to  do  without  rest  for  nearly  a  week  is  too  much 
for  my  strength."  This  state  of  things  continues  only 
during  caplin  scull,  and  then  only  when  the  fishing  is 
good,  and  the  weather  fine.  If  it  rains,  or  is  damp, 
nothing  can  be  done  on  the  flake.  When  a  rainy  day 
comes,  some  of  the  girls  will  almost  leap  for  joy,  and 
exclaim,  "  Oh,  how  it  rains !  we  shall  have  rest  to-day  ; 
the  more  rain  the  more  rest." 

To  the  west  the  case  is  something  different,  as  the 
boats  are  larger  and  go  a  greater  distance;  so  that  the 
fish  are  split  at  sea  by  the  boat's  crew. 

In  the  month  of  August,  the  merchant's  large  boat, 
or  galloper,  goes  to  the  planter's  fishing-room,  to  select 
the  first  "  dry  fish."  A  culler  usually  goes  in  the 
boat,  to  select  the  mercantile  fish.  The  culler  makes 
three  qualities  of  fish,  —  merchantable,  madeira,  and 
West  Indian.  The  merchantable  goes  up  the  Medi- 
terranean, to  Roman  Catholic  countries ;  Halifax  and 
the  United  States  are  markets  for  the  madeira,  and  the 
inferior  fish  find  sale  in  the  West  India  Islands. 

The  fishery  on  the  north  shore  ends  either  on  the 
twentieth  or  on  the  last  of  October,  when,  the  voyage 
being  over,  those  shipped  in  the  spring  receive  their 
wages  and  a  clearance.  Some  of  the  fishermen  are 
not  engaged  for  wages,  but  are  on  shares,  and  are  said 
to  cut  their  tails ;  which  means  that  they  cut  a  piece 
from  the  tail  of  the  fish  as  soon  as  it  i?  taken  out  of 
the  water,  by  which  the  man's  fish  is  known  from  the 
rest.  Of  this  fish  one  half  is  his,  as  vv-icrns,  and  the 
other  half  belongs  to  the  planter  for  th( 


even 


'1  i 


m%,^ 


THE   FISHERY. 


213 


a  person  is  said  to  *'  have  half  his  hand."     The  "  lay  '* 
is  less  than  "  half  the  hand." 

All  the  fish-oil  belongs  to  the  planter.  The  liver  of 
the  fish,  as  said  above,  is  dropped  through  a  hole  in 
the  splitting-table,  into  the  gully  or  barrel  beneath; 
when  the  gully  is  full  of  hver  it  is  emptied  into  a  vat 
or  hogshead  outside,  and  exposed  to  the  weather ;  the 
heat  of  the  sun  melts  the  liver,  and  it  becomes  oil. 
The  rain  helps  to  purify  the  oil,  which  in  the  autumn 
is  drawn  off  into  barrels,  and  at  once  is  fit  for  expor- 
tation. 

The  fishery  over,  a  few  days  are  required  to  dig  the 
potatoes,  and  put  them  in  the  cellar.  The  cellar  is 
simply  a  hole  dug  in  the  ground  and  planked  up, 
against  which  a  quantity  of  earth  is  thrown  to  make  it 
frost-proof;  it  has  a  double  door,  and  a  southern 
aspect,  so  as  to  be  entered  on  a  mild  day  durincr 
winter. 

About  the  last  week  in  October  is  the  time  for  the 
planter  to  settle  his  yearly  account  with  the  merchant, 
and  get  his  winter  supplies.  The  winter  suppHes  are 
similar  to  the  spring  supplies,  minus  the  articles  req- 
uisite foi*  the  fishery.  If  the  fishery  has  been  good, 
or  the  planter  independent,  the  winter  supplies  are 
always  ample,  the  family  live  well ;  but  if  the  fishery 
is  poor,  or  the  planter  dependent  upon  his  merchant, 
his  winter  stock  of  provision  and  clothing  are  very 
scant,  and  often,  after  the  exhausting  toil  of  the  sum- 
mer, on  his  part,  and  the  almost  superhuman  labor  of 
his  wife,  his  family  have  to  eke  out  an  existence, 
during  a  long  winter,  upon  fish  and  potatoes;  and 
even  these  articles  of  food  fail  before  the  arrival  of 


spnn 


When 


'     ( 


the  winter  supplies  are  brought  home,  the 


w       ■  1 


214 


'. 


li' 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


fishing-boats  have  to  be  hauled  up  or  taken  into  some 
safe  harbor,  the  fishing-stages  which  are  exposed  to 
the  action  of  the  sea  have  to  be  taken  in,  and  the 
dwelhng-houses  to  be  secured  against  the  cold  as  much 
as  possible. 

THE  WINTER  SEASON. 

In  many  harbors  to  the  west,  it  is  a  custom  for  a 
number  of  families  to  go  to  the  woods  during  winter,  to 
do  a  winter's  work,  as  building  boats,  cutting  hoop- 
poles,  or  making  staves  for  barrels.  Sometimes  they 
migrate  for  the  sole  object  of  catching  fresh  meat,  -1 
that  is,  of  killing  deer  during  winter,  and  wild  geese 
in  the  spring,  with  both  of  which  the  country  abounds. 
But  going  into  the  woods  is  not  so  generally  a  prac- 
tice in  Conception  Bay. 

The  men  in  general  do  little  else  during  winter,  than 
get  "room-stuff"  and  firewood.  A  man's  wages  in 
winter  are  very  low,  and  a  strong  man  can  be  hired 
for  the  season  for  his  board,  with  his  cuffs  and  buskins. 
The  cuff  is  for  the  hand,  made  like  a  mitten,  but  the 
substance  is  a  stout,  white  cloth,  called  "  swanskin." 
It  is  doubled  on  the  back  of  the  hand,  and  stitched 
until  it  is  almost  impervious  to  water.  The  buskin  is 
for  the  leg,  to  keep  out  the  snow.  It  is  also  made  of 
swanskin.  While  the  men  can  be  hired  for  this  small 
remuneration,  the  wages  of  the  females  are  nearly  as 
much  in  the  winter  as  in  the  summer. 

As  winter  approaches,  the  carriages  have  to  be  re- 
paired or  made  for  getting  out  the  firewood.  These 
are  of  two  kinds,  the  slide  and  the  catamaran.  The 
slide  was  a  segment  cut  out  of  plank,  the  convex  side 
to  move  on  the  snow.  The  catamaran  was  made  like  a 
hand-sled.     To  these  carriages  two  dogs  were  harnessed 


s. 


nto  some 

posed  to 

and  the 

as  much 


►m  for  a 
nnter,  to 
g  hoop- 
les  thev 
meat,  — 
Id  geese 
ibounds. 
'  a  prac- 

:er,  than 
^ages  in 
)e  liired 
buskins, 
but  the 
mskin." 
stitched 
mskin  is 
nade  of 
is  small 
early  as 

0  be  re- 
These 
[.  The 
ex  side 
le  like  a 
-rnessed 


THE    WINTER   SEASON. 


215 


in  tandem,  and  a  man  on  the  left  side,  to  guide  the 
carriage  and  its  load  with  his  right  arm,  while  a  "  haul- 
ing rope  v/ould  pass  over  his  left  shoulder,  with  which 
he  would  assist  the  dogs  in  dragging  their  burden. 
This  was  the  Newfoundland  team.  In  some  few  places, 
there  was  an  occasional  horse,  but  this  was  the  team 
generally  used  all  over  the  country,  in  those  days,  for 
getting  out  firewood.  The  load  that  this  team  would 
drive  for  miles  out  of  the  woods  was  surprising.  In 
Bonavista,  the  man  and  his  two  dogs  would  sometimes 
drag  eight  or  ten  "  turn  "  four  miles.  A  turn  is  what 
a  man  can  carry  a  short  distance  without  resting.  The 
Newfoundland  dog  is  famous  all  over  the  world.  They 
are  usually  fed  on  the  offal  fish. 

The  r>jide,  or  catamaran,  can  only  be  used  on  the  snow. 
If  wood  be  wanted  before  the  snow  fall,  it  must  be 
"  spelled  out,"  that  is,  carried  on  men's  shoulders  ;  and 
when  some  snow  has  fallen,  but  not  sufficient  to  make  a 
good  path,  the  stick  of  wood  is  nobbled  out.  To  nob- 
ble is  to  drag  on  the  ground. 

When  the  snow  has  fallen  sufHciently  deep,  the  snow 
path  is  formed.  This  is  done  by  a  number  of  men 
walking  with  pot-lid  rackets.  The  word  racket  means 
a  snow-shoe,  but  the  racket  of  the  Newfoundland  woods- 
man is  made  by  nailing  strips  of  board  on  a  small  hoop 
about  eight  inches  in  diameter.  The  pot-lid  rackets 
are  fastened  to  the  feet,  and,  by  using  these  several 
times,  the  snow  is  pressed  solid,  and  a  smooth  path 
is  thus  formed. 

The  preacher,  some  time  during  winter,  would  have 
a  "  haul  of  wood,"  when  all  the  men  in  the  villa<Te 
would  turn  out,  double  man  the  slides,  and  take  four 
dogs  to  each  slide,  and  bring,  in  one  day,  wood  enough 
for  the  whole  year.      In  Burin,  this  can  not  be  done, 


216 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


iW  1 


owing  to  its  insular  position,  but  the  wood  has  to  be 
brought  in  a  boat.  One  year,  the  writer  failed  in  get- 
ting wood  in  the  fall ;  he  had  therefore  himself  to  "  haul 
the  slide,"  accompanied  by  his  *'  winter  man,"  and  thus 
drag  from  the  woods  all  the  fuel  his  family  required  for 
the  season.  But  God  gave  him  strength  for  his  day, 
and  he  felt  it  no  dishonor,  as  the  circumstances  of  his 
missionary  work  rendered  such  labor  necessary. 

The  winter  houses  are  called  tilts.     The  Newfound- 
land tilt  can  lay  no  claim  to  any  ancient  order  of  archi- 
tecture, but  is  in  its  style  perfectly  original.     The  walls 
are  formed  of  rough  spruce  sticks,  called  studs,  of  about 
six  inches  in  diameter,  the  height  of  the  sides  six  feet, 
and  of  the  gables  about  ten  or  twelve  feet.     The  studs 
are  placed  perpendicularly,  wedged  close  together,  and 
the  chinks  or  interstices  filled  with  moss.     This  is  the 
only  defence  against  the  cold.     A  ridge-pole  passes  lon- 
gitudinally from  the  gables  on  which  the  round  rafters 
are  notched.     These  are  covered  with  rinds,  or  the 
spruce  bark  which  had  been  used  during  the  summer 
as  covering  for  the  fish-piles.     These  rinds  make  the 
tilt  water-tight.     A  hole  is  left  in  the  rinds,  about  four 
feet  square,  which  serves  the  double  purpose  of  a  vent 
fbr  the  smoke  and  an  aperture  for  the  solar  rays  to 
permeate  the  dwelling.      The  tilt  has  seldom  any  win- 
dow.    The  floor  is  made  with  round  studs  like  the 
walls,  which  are  sometimes  hewed  a  little  with  an  adze. 
A  few  stones,  piled  five  feet  high,  form  the  fireplace. 
These  stones  are  placed  close  to  the  studs,  wliich,  being 
thus  exposed  to  great  heat,  will  often  ignite.     A  vessel 
full  of  water  was   always  at  hand  to  extinguish   the 
kindling  spark ;   and  it  required  no  small  skill  to  throw 
the  water  from  that  vessel  up  the  chimney  in  such  a 

timnTlpr   ae   +/\   i-\ro\7-orit    1*°     »./-«+ 1-1  viY»      o.-.-.,,r>l>"— -""jJ    1— -■'■I- ^ 


IIS 


THE    WINTER    SEASON. 


217 


upon  the  head  of  the  unfortunate  operator.  A  rough 
door,  a  few  shelves,  and  a  swinging-table  fastened  to 
the  side  of  the  building,  exhausts  nearly  all  the  boards 
usually  allowed  for  such  structures. 

In  a  tilt  like  the  above^  with  the  only  addition  of  a 
rough,  boarded  floor,  and  two  windows,  brought  from 
the  mission-house,  did  the  writer,  with  his  family,  spend 
the  winter  of  1827-1828.     In  the  mission-tilt,  however, 
we  had  three    apartments,  two   sleeping  apartments, 
and  one  large  room,  nearly  twenty  feet  square,  which 
was  our  kitchen,  our  parlor,  my  study,  and  also  our 
chapel  where  we  held  public  service  and  class-meet- 
ings during  the  winter.     The  carpets  from  the  mission- 
house  we  put  to  a  new   use,  for,  instead  of  wearing 
them  under  our  feet,  we  tacked   them  overhead,  to 
keep  away  the  dust  and  the  cold.     This  event  occurred 
in  the  Burin  Circuit.     Our  tilt  was  erected  upon  the 
bank  of  a  large  lake,  called  Fresh-water  Pond,  and,  as 
we  were  surrounded  by  some  twenty  Wesleyan  fami- 
lies who  had  migrated  there  from  Burin  Harbor,  we 
called  the  locality   of  our   winter  residence   Wesley 
Vale. 


|i 


ill 


CHAPTER   VII. 


SABBATH-BREAKING  —  ANKCDOTK  OF  MRS.  LOCK  —  THE  CARBONEAR 
CAPTAIN  —  JOHN  PICKAVANT  —  JOHN  LEWIS  —  METHODISM  IN 
BURIN  —  THOMAS  H1CK80N — JAMES  IIICKSON  —  STATION  FOB  1817 
—  NEW  CIRCUITS  —HARBOR  GRACE  —  TRINITY  —  WESTERN  BAY  — 
FORTUNE  BAY  —  HANTS  HARBOR  —  CAPTAIN  VICARS  —  HEDLEY 
VICARS  —  SABBATH-SCHOOLS. 


t 


I^HE  great  sin  with  which  the  early  missionaries 
.  had  to  contend  was  Sabbath-breaking.  Hauling 
caplin  and  jigging  squids  for  bait  were  generally  prac- 
tised on  that  sacred  day.  Catching  fish,  sometimes ; 
but  taking  seals  and  making  fish  on  the  Sabbath  were 
universally  practised.  The  seal-hunter  would  say,  "  If 
the  seals  come  near  my  vessel  on  the  Sabbath  day,  it  is 
Providence  sends  them,  and  it  would  be  tempting  Prov- 
idence not  to  take  them."  The  skipper  of  the  boats 
would  say, "  I  must  get  bait  on  Sabbath,  in  order  to  be 
early  on  tjjie  ground  on  Monday  morning,  or  I  shall 
miss  the  scull ;  "  and  the  skipper  of  the  shore  crew,  "  I 
must  spread  my  fish,  or  it  will  spoil,  if  the  weather  be 
fine."  And  this  constant  breach  of  the  holy  day  would 
be  justified  in  the  estimation  of  the  parties  by  quoting 
Luke  xiv.  5,  "  Which  of  you  shall  have  an  ass^or  an 
ox  fallen  into  a  pit  and  will  not  straightway  pull  him 
out  on  the  Sabbath  day  ?  "  Such  were  the  force  of 
habit  and  the  influence  of  bad  example  that  many 
persons,  after  they  professed  religion,  seemed  to  think 
that  some  of  these  things  might  be  done  guiltlessly. 
One  of  the  first,  if  not  the  very  first  person  in  New- 

(218; 


ANECDOTE    OF    MRS.    LOCK. 


219 


J, 


foundland,  who  made  a  stand  against  spreading  fish  on 
the  Sabbath  day,  was  Mrs.  EHzabeth  Lock,  of  Lower 
Island  Cove,  whose  name  has  probably  now  become 
somewhat  familiar  to  the  reader. 

She  was  skipper  of  the  shore  crew.  She  had  re- 
monstrated with  her  husband  on  the  evil  of  workin^r 
on  the  Sabbath  ;  but  he  insisted  upon  it  that  fish  should 
be  spread  if  the  weather  was  fine  ;  and  such  an  act 
would  be  no  violation  of  the  fourth  commandment. 
She  thought  differently,  and  determined,  by  the  grace 
of  God,  come  what  would,  she  would  not  spread  her 
fish  on  the  Sabbath  day.  A  time  came  when  her  faith 
was  to  be  put  to  the  test.  Her  husband  was  from 
home,  and  the  responsibility  of  the  voyage  rested  upon 
her.  The  weather  had  been  foggy  for  several  days, 
but  it  cleared  up  on  the  Sabbath  morning.  All  hands 
were  on  the  flakes  except  Mrs.  Lock  and  her  crew. 
As  soon  as  the  neighbors  had  spread  their  own  fish, 
they  went  to  inquire  for  the  absentees,  when  the  fol- 
lowing conversation  took  place :  — 

Neighbor.     "Mrs.  Lock,  are  you  unwell,  that  you  have  not 
spread  your  fish,  this  fine  morning  ?  " 

Mrs.  Lock.   "  I  am  not  unwell,  thank  God ;  and  I  have  not 
spread  my  fish,  because  it  would  be  breaking  the  Sabbath." 

Neighbor.    "  But  you  have  always  done  so  before,  and  so  has 
every  one  else." 

Mrs.  Lock.  "  True,  but  we  have  all  done  wrong ;  and  it  is  time 
that  we  repented  of  our  sins,  and  lived  differently." 

Neighbor.    "  But  you  will  lose  your  voyage  ;  for  this  hot  day 
will  certainly  spoil  every  fish  that  is  left  in  fagot ."  * 

Mrs.  Lock.  "  I  would  rather  lose  my  voyage  than  lose  my  soul, 
which  certainly  will  be  the  case  if  1  live  in  sin." 

Neighbor.  "  We  will  spread  your  fish  for  you." 
/  Mrs.  Lock.  "  The  sin  would  be  the  same.    If  I  do  not  go  on 
the  flake  myself,  I  will  not  allow  any  one  else  to  go  there." 

1  "Fagot"  is  a  small  pile  of  fish  left  on  the  flake  at  night,  or  during 
rainy  weather. 


n1 


4 


4)1 

"'SI 


■y 


'J  I 

It? 


m\ 


220 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


Neighbor.  •*  But  your  husband,  what  will  he  say  ?  He  will  be 
very  angry,  and  justly  so  ;  for  you  will  cause  his  ruin." 

When  this  neighbor  had  left,  our  Cliristian  heroine 
was,  for  a  time,  much  agitated,  and  thought  she  must 
yield ;  but  determined  she  would  first  lay  the  case  before 
the  Lord  in  prayer.  She  retired  to  her  chamber  and 
prayed  that  wisdom  might  be  given  to  her  to  do  the  thing 
that  was  right ;  and  that  if  she  was  to  suffer  for  doing 
right,  she  might  have  strength  and  grace  for  the  trial 
She  arose  from  her  knees,  and  resolved,  *'  Come  what 
will,  I  will  never  again  spread  fish  on  the  holy  Sabbath." 

The  day  was  very  fine,  and  sun  scorching.  In  the 
evening  some  of  her  friends  came  and  upbraided  her 
for  her  neglect ;  and,  among  other  unkind  things,  they 
said,  "  We  have  saved  our  voyage,  but  all  your  fish  will 
be  lost."  Some  outside  called  her  a  Methodist  fool. 
That  night  she  slept  but  little,  so  great  was  her  anxiety. 
As  soon  as  daylight  came,  she  went  on  the  flake,  to  see 
what  had  happened  to  her  fish.  "  I  trembled,"  said 
she  "  as  I  went  from  the  house  ;  for  I  expected  nothing 
else  but  that  every  fish  then  on  the  flake  would  have 
to  be  thrown  away.  But  I  looked  at  one  fagot,  then 
at  another,  and  so  all  over  the  flake,  when,  to  my  utter 
surprise,  I  found  my  fish  were  not  injured.  My  neigh- 
bors also  were  soon  on  their  flakes,  and  they  went 
there  with  a  smile  at  me.  But  that  smile  was  soon 
changed  into  a  deep  seriousness ;  for  it  was  evident  at 
once  that  every  fish  which  had  been  spread  on  the 
Sabbath  was  scorched  and  destroyed  by  the  very  pow- 
erful rays  of  the  sun.  It  was  sunburnt,  but  my  fish 
were  not  exposed,  and,  with  the  exception  of  a  few  on 
the  top  of  the  fagot,  none  were  injured,  and  my  voy- 
age-turned out  well.^ 

'  The  above  particulars  were  detailed  to  the  writer  by  Mrs.  Lock,  in  a 
conversation  on  the  evil  of  Sabbath-breaking. 


THE    CARBONEAR    CAPTAIN. 


221 


This  was  a  great  triumph  for  religion,  and  the  effect 
was  soon  seen  in  Island  Cove  and  along  the  North 
Shore ;  and  while  it  is  now  an  admitted  principle  that 
the  Lord's  da^  should  be  kept  holy,  yet  it  is  to  be  feared 
that  many  persons,  contrary  to  their  convictions,  do 
still  violate  the  sanctity  of  the  Sabbath  by  doing  work 
connected  with  the  fishery. 

A  few  years  later,  a  similar  case  occurred  at  the  ico 
to  one  of  our  Methodist  captains  from  Carbonear.  A 
young  man,  master  of  an  ice-hunter,  had  lately  found 
the  pardoning  love  of  God,  when  duty  called  him  to 
go  on  a  sealing-voyage.  He  resolved  he  would  not 
take  seals  on  the  Sabbath,  and  told  his  men  so  before 
he  left  the  harbor. 

One  very  fine  Sabbath,  a  floe  came  near  his  vessel, 
on   which  was  a  great  number  of  seals.      The  men, 
notwithstanding  what  he  had  told  them,  prepared  to 
take  the  seals.     He  forbade  them  ;  st'll  they  persisted. 
He  however  stood  in  the  gangway  and  declared,  "  Not  a 
seal  shall  be  put  on  board  my  schooner  this  day."   Pres- 
ently another  schooner  saw  the  floe,  bore  down  upon 
it,  and  immediately  commenced  taking  the  seals  on 
board  ;  and  by  night  she  had  taken  about  five  hundred. 
The  day  was  very  fine,  and  the  reflection  of  the  sun's 
rays,  from  the  snow  and  ice,  greatly  affected  the  eyes 
of  the  men.     The  Monday  morning   came,   the  floe 
was  still  there,  and  more  seals  upon  it  than  were  seen 
on  the  Sabbath.     Our  Methodist  captain  now  directed 
his  men  to  go  to  work,  which  they  did  with  a  good 
will,  and  in  three  days  they  captured  sixteen  hundred 
seals;    while  the  men  on   board   the   other  schooner 
were  all  ice-blind,  and,  after  the  Sabbath,  they  never 
took  another  seal  for  the  season. 
The  first  Newfoundland  district  had  only  six  mem- 

19* 


fl 


' 


! 


i 


1: « 


II 


222 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


bers.  Of  William  Ellis  and  Sampson  Busliby,  the 
two  first  names  on  tlie  list,  we  have  given  some  ac- 
count in  our  brief'biographical  sketches.  A  tew  notices 
of  the  other  brethren  we  shall  now  lay  before  the 
reader. 

John  Pickavant  was  a  native  of  Lancashire,  born  in 
1792.  He  was  brought  to  God  when  in  his  sixteenth 
year,  and  when  quite  young,  he  began  to  exercise  his 
talents  as  a  local  preacher.  In  the  year  1814,  he  was 
called  into  the  regular  work,  and  appointed  to  New- 
foundland. He  filled  the  office  of  chairman  of  the  dis- 
trict for  many  years,  and  labored  on  the  island  for  about 
thirty  years.  He  was  a  good  preacher ;  his  address 
was  easy,  engaging,  and  dignified ;  and  his  views  of 
evangelical  truth  were  clear  and  comprehensive.  His 
health  was  not  generally  good.  In  the  year  1843,  he 
returned  to  England,  with  his  health  greatly  impaired. 
He,  however,  so  far  recovered  as  to  take  some  impor- 
tant circuits  in  his  native  land.  He  died,  while  Super- 
intendent of  the  Third  Leeds  Circuit,  on  the  27th  of 
March,  1848,  in  the  fifty-sixth  year  of  his  age,  and  the 
thirty-fourth  of  his  ministry. 

John  Lewis,  Sen.,  was  a  native  of  Wales.  He  was 
called  out  into  the  ministry  by  the  conference  of  1814, 
and  appointed  to  Newfoundland,  where  he  labored  for 
six  years.  He  was  one  of  the  first  missionaries  to  the 
westward  of  St.  Johns.  In  the  autumn  of  1817,  an 
opening  for  Methodism  occurred  in  the  harbor  of  Bu- 
rin, in  Placentia  Bay.  The  brethren  sent  him  there ; 
a  place  where  a  Methodist  preacher  had  never  set  his 
foot,  far  away  from  any  communication  with  his  breth- 
ren, and  where  he  had  not  one  Christian  friend  with 
whom  he  could  converse.  Moreover,  the  leading  mer- 
chants were  opposed  to  Methodism,  and  the  wickedness 


1    •*!'    I 
.     11    , 


THOMAS    AND   JAMES    HlCKSON. 


228 


I      » 


iby,  the 
OHIO  ac- 
V  notices 
rore   the 

born  in 
lixteenth 
rcise  his 
,  he  was 
to  New- 
*the  dis- 
m about 

address 
riews  of 
i.  His 
L843,  he 
upaired. 
e  impor- 
3  Super- 
27th  of 
and  the 

He  was 
)f  1814, 
lored  for 
js  to  the 
L817, an 
•  of  Bu- 
1  there; 
r  set  his 
is  breth- 
nd  witli 
ng  mer- 
?kedne?s 


of  the  people  was  proverbial.  He  went,  however,  in 
the  true  spirit  of  a  Clu'istian  missionary,  firmly  trusting 
tiiat  tiie  Great  Head  of  the  clmrch  would  open  his 
way,  and  give  him  success  in  his  work.  He  was  not 
disappointed.  The  people  received  him  with  all  con- 
ceivable kindness;  they  opened  their  houses  to  him; 
tliey  built  a  church,  and  contributed  largely  to  his  sup- 
port. God  blessed  his  preaching,  so  that  many  were 
turned  from  their  evil  ways.  A  society  was  formed, 
and  Methodism  took  firm  hold  of  the  people,  which 
hold  it  still  retains.  For  many  years,  the  name  of  John 
Lewis  was  remembered  with  much  affection  and  esteem  ; 
and  his  removi.i  from  the  circuit  was  deeply  regretted. 
In  the  spring  of  1820,  brother  Lewis  left  Newfound- 
land, and  labored  in  England  two  years,  when  he  was 
appointed  to  Yell,  one  of  the  Shetland  Islands,  where 
he  remained  three  years,  and  then  returned  to  England. 
In  the  minutes  of  1863,  his  name  is  still  recorded  as 
living.  He  is  down  as  supernumerary  for  Nottingham 
North  Circuit. 

Thomas  Hickson,  an  Englishman,  entered  the  itin- 
erant work  at  the  conference  of  1815.  His  first  ap- 
pointment was  St.  Johns,  Newfoundland.  He  labored 
in  different  circuits  on  the  island  for  nine  years,  with 
very  great  acceptance  and  usefulness  ;  and  in  every  cir- 
cuit, God  honored  him  in  the  conversion  of  souls. 
The  summer  before  he  left,  he  went  on  a  mission  to 
the  Labrador  Indians,  of  which  notice  will  be  taken 
in  the  proper  place.  He  returned  to  England  in  1824. 
In  the  minutes  of  1863,  his  name  is  down  as  supernu- 
merary on  the  Northampton  Circuit. 

James  Hickson,  brother  of  Thomas  Hickson,  was 
born  in  the  year  1791.  In  his  sixteenth  year,  he  was 
wrought  to  an  experirneutal  acquaintance  with  the  "  truth 


i^i' 


•\' 


M 


n 


Ill 


■i  i 


224 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


as  it  is  in  Jesus,"  and  soon  aftorward  ho  employed  his 
talents  as  a  local  preacher  with  much  acceptance.     Af- 
ter being  so  employed  for   several  years,  he  believed  it 
to  be  his  duty  to  give  himself  wlioUy  to  the  ministry  ; 
and  althuugh  he  had  a   widowed  mother,  whose  soul 
seemed  bound  in  his,  yet  the  cause  of  Christ  was,  in 
his  estimation,  paramount  to  all  human  affections  and 
ties.     He  therefore,  painful  as  it  was,  broke  off  from  her 
embraces,  and  offered  himself  as  a  missionary  at  the 
conference  of  1815.     He  was  sent  to  Newfoundland, 
where  he  labored  with  great  zeal  and  faithfulness  for 
nine  years.      He  was  not  what   people   call  a  great 
preacher,  but  he  was  a  sound  theologian,  and  preached 
with  much  earnestness  and  solemnity.     His  voice  was 
clear,  but  of  a  low  bass  pitch ;  so  that,  in  singing,  he 
could  sound  double  C  with  ease.     His  walk  before  the 
people  was  always  uniform  and  circumspect ;  and  in 
the  circuits  where   he  labored,  particularly  in  Island 
Cove  and  Perlican,  Bonavista  and  Trinity,  he  was  made 
very  useful,  and  many  were  converted  to  God  through 
his  instrumentality.     Every  one  spoke  of  James  Hick- 
son  with  reverence.     He  returned  to  Enffland  in  1824, 
where  he  continued  to  be  eminently  successful,  both  in 
the  conversion  of  sinners  and  in  the  edification  of  be- 
lievers.    He  died  in  peace,  on  the  3d  of  September, 
1837,   in   the   forty-sixth    year    of  his   age,  and    the 
twenty-third  of  liis  ministry. 

The  conference  of  1815  resolved  to  send  two  addi- 
tional missionaries  to  Newfoundland ;  but  the  mission- 
ary committee  increased  those  two  to  six;  and,  before 
the  conference  of  1816,  the  following  six  additional 
missionaries  were  sent  out  :  Ninian  Barr,  George 
Cubit,  Richard  Knight,  John  Walsh,  John  Bell,  John 

l-l  rt  1  r»l-» 


STATIONS. 


225 


The  station-sheet  for  1816  reads  thus:  — 

NEWFOUNDLAND. 

St.  Johns — John  Pickuvant,  Ninian  Barr. 

Cakuonkar  —  George  Cubit,  Richard  Knight. 

Blackiikad  —  John  Walsh,  Thomas  llicksoa. 

PoKT  DK  Grave  —  John  Lewis. 

Island  Cove  and  Perlican  — John  Bell,  John  Haigh. 

BoNAViSTA  —  James  Hickson. 

John  Bell,  Chairman  of  the  District. 
N.  B.  William  Ellis  was  omitted  by  mistake,  so  that  the  number 
of  missionaries  was  now  eleven,  and  our  membership  five  hundred. 

The  above  is  the  list  of  stations  as  thoy  appear  on 
the  printed  minutes  ;  but  the  committee  gave  a  discre- 
tionary power  to  the  district  to  make  any  aheration  in 
the  appointments  that  they  might  deem  necessary. 

The  following  were  the  stations  for  that  year,  as 
altered  by  the  district  meeting,  and  as  they  appear  in 
the  minutes  of  1817  :  — 

St.  Johns  —  George  Cubit. 
Carbonear  —  John  Walsh. 
Harbor  Grace — Ninian  Barr. 
Blackhead  —  John  Pickavant. 
Western  Bay  —  John  Haigh. 
Island  Cove  and  Perlican  —  John  Bell. 
Port  de  Grave  —  James  Hickson. 
Bona  VISTA  —  Thomas  Hickson. 
Trinity  Harbor  —  William  Ellis. 
Fortune  Bay  —  Richard  Knight. 
Hants  Harbor  —  John  Lewis. 

The  additional  circuits  are  Harbor  Grace,  Western 
Bay,  Trinity  Harbor,  Fortune  Bay,  and  Hants  Harbor. 

Harbor  Grace,  the  scene  of  Lawrence  Couirhlan's 
labors,  and  where  Methodism  was  first  planted  on  this 
side  the  ocean,  had  for  a  number  of  years  been  less  fre- 
quently visited  than  some  other  places  on  the  shore, 
because  of  the  determined  opposition  made  against  us 


H 


\ 


!     1 


i 
I 


if 


i 


226 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


i' 


jrwiMr' 


there  ;  yet  the  mission'aries  had  never  abandoned  the 
ground,  and  there  was  always  "  a  faithful  few  "  in  tlip.t 
interesting  town,  some  of  whom  had  been  converted 
under  the  p  caching  of  Mr.  Cbuprlikn ;  and  now,  in 
their  old  age,  were  enabled  to  rejoice  that  at  length 
their  prayers  were  heard,  and  the  desire  of  their  hearts 
realized  by  the  permanent  appointment  of  a  Methodist 
preacher  to  their  circuit. 

Western  Bay.  —  This  place  is  on  the  north  shore, 
and  about  three  miles  from  Bhckhead.  It  has  often 
formed  a  part  of  the  Blackhead  Circuit.  It  contains  a 
considerable  population,  and  was  a  place  often  visited 
bj'-  our  first  missionaries,  as  they  peregrinated  up  and 
down  the  shore. 

TRINITY   CIRCUIT. 

John  Haigh  was  the  first  Wesleyan  missionary  sta- 
tioned here,  which  was  in  1816.  He  remained  one  year, 
and  was  succeeded,  in  1817,  by  William  Ellis.  These 
brethren  were  very  kindly  received  by  the  people ;  and 
the  court  house  was  opened  for  them,  as  a  place  of 
worship  on  the  Sabbath.  There  was,  however,  much 
gayety  in  the  town,  and  the  court-house  was  used, 
when  wanted,  as  a  ballroom.  Our  people  were  but 
few  in  number,  yet  they  soon  comuienced  a  church, 
which  was  carried  to  its  completion  chiefly  by  the  ex- 
ertion of  our  firm  friend,  Dr.  George  Skelton,  to  whose 
means,  influence,  and  talent  Methodism  owes  its  origin 
in  Trinity.  We  have  had  much  to  contend  with  here, 
and  we  are  yet  but  few ;  nevertheless,  bv  the  blessinc^ 
of  God,  after  half  a  century,  our  cause  still  lives  and 
prospers,  and  has  been  the  means  of  salvation  to  many, 
both  in  Trinity  Harbor,  and  also  in  English  Harbor,  a 
part  of  the  circuit  distant  six  miles. 


iHi 


3. 

oned  the 
"  in  tlmt 
on  verted 
now,  in 
t  length 
ir  hearts 
[ethodist 

h  shore, 
las  often 
•ntains  a 
n  visited 
up  and 


TRINITY   CIRCUIT. 


227 


lary  sta- 
)ne  year, 
These 
pie ;  and 
place  of 
er,  mucli 
as  used, 
veref  but 

church, 
;■  the  ex- 
to  whose 
its  origin 
ith  here, 

blessino; 
ives  and 
;o  many, 
[arbor,  a 


Fortune  Bay  is  next  on  our  station-sheet.  The 
entrance  of  Fortune  Bay  is  two  hundred  forty  miles  west 
from  St.  Johns  ;  it  is  about  thirty-five  miles  wide,  and 
eighty  in  length.  It  contains  a  number  of  harbors,  and 
a  considerable  population. 

Information  reached  Fortune  Bay  that  several  Meth- 
odist missionaries  had  arrived  from  England,  and  a  ves- 
sel going  from  thence  to  St.  Johns,  application  was 
made  for  one,  for  Grand  Bank  and  Fortune  Bay  ;  and 
Richard  Knight,  afterward  so  well  known  in  these 
Provinces,  was  the  first  Protestant  minister,  of  any  de- 
nomination, stationed  in  that  part  of  the  island.  Mr. 
Knight  remained  two  years  on  the  station,  during 
which  time  he  collected  congregations  in  Grand  Bank 
and  Fortune  Bay,  formed  the  first  class,  and  was  instru- 
mental of  much  good  among  that  interesting  people. 
Hickman,  Forsey,  Evans,  and  Chilcot,  are  names  well 
known  as  among  the  first  fruits  of  Methodism  in  that 
remote  part  of  the  Newfoundland  mission. 

The  head  of  the  circuit  is  Grand  Bank,  a  small 
harbor,  only  fit  for  fishing-boats  and  small  schooners. 
It  is  dry  at  low  water.  The  land  is  level,  the  place 
is  pleasant,  the  inhabitants  are  not  very  numerous, 
but  a  more  kind  and  affectionate  people  are  not  to  be 
found.  They  have  always  highly  esteemed  their  min- 
isters, and  have  exerted  themselves  at  all  times  to  make 
them  and  their  famihes  comfortable.  God  has  blessed 
them,  both  with  temporal  and  with  spiritual  prosperity. 
Fortune,  from  whence  the  bay  derives  its  name,  is  a 
small  harbor  four  miles  east  from  Grand  Bank.  The 
traveller,  after  leaving  Grand  Bank,  first  had  to  ford  a 
stream,  sometimes  only  to  the  knees  ;  at  other  times  it 
would  be  breast  high ;  about  one  mile  of  land  he  next 
passed,  but  the  remainder  of  the  journey  was  over  loose 


1 

I 


r  t 


i  1 


i  I  I 


228 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


Stones  by  the  sea-side.  Through  the  whole  of  this  ex- 
tensive region,  there  was  no  Protestant  church,  or  any 
religious  service  whatever,  except  by  a  man  who  lived 
some  thirty  miles  up  the  bay,  and  who  sometimes  read 
the  church  service  on  Sabbath  day.  This  man  was  in 
the  employment  of  the  "  Society  for  the  Propagation  of 
the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts."  He  was  grossly  ignorant, 
and,  like  most  other  persons  in  the  employment  of  that 
society,  he  was  most  determinately  opposed  to  Method- 
ism. It  is  difficult  to  determine  which  was  the  most 
glaring,  the  impudence  or  the  ignorance  of  this  man,  — 
this  then  only  Protestant  teacher  in  all  Fortune  Bay. 
One  day,  this  "  Reader,"  who  was  sometimes  digni- 
fied with  the  cognomen  of  "  Parson,"  met  one  of  our 
missionaries  in  the  house  of  our  aged  friend,  Mr.  Blake, 
in  the  harbor  of  Fortune,  when  he  thought  it  a  good 
opportunity  to  offer  an  insult  to  the  Methodist  preacher, 
as  Well  as  to  exhibit  his  own  wisdom^  before  the  preach- 
er's friends.  He  therefore  most  unceremoniously  com- 
menced :  — 

Teacher.   "  Aint  you  a  Methodist  preacher  ?  " 

Missionary.   "  I  am." 

Teacher.  "  And  you  call  yourself  a  missionary,  don't  you  ?  " 

Miss.  "I  do." 

Teacher.  "  But  you  aint  '  a  missionary ; '  our  ministers  are  mis- 
sionaries ;  but  Methodist  preachers  aint  missionaries." 

Miss.  "  What  should  Methodist  preachers  be  called,  if  they  are 
not  missionaries  ?    Pray  what  is  a  missionary  V  " 

Teacher,  "  Why,  you  are  only  mis-shine-aries ;  that  is  what  you 
oiight  to  be  called,  a  '  mmhineari/.* " 

Miss.  "  Pardon  me,  sir ;  I  never  heard  the  word  before ;  will 
you  please  tell  me  what  the  word  means  ?  " 

Teacher.  "  A  '  misshineary '  means,  a  man  who  is  inferior  to 
a  missionary." 

Miss.  "  f  trhaps  you  will  also  bo  kind  enough  to  say,  in  what  re- 
spect Methodist  preachers  are  inferior  to  Episcopal  clcrf^ymen." 


It 


HANTS    HARBOR. 


229 


if  this  ex- 
h,  or  any 
kvlio  lived 
mes  read 
an  was  in 
gation  of 
ignorant, 
nt  of  that 
Method- 
the  most 
5  man,  — 
une  Bay. 
les  digni- 
tie  of  our 
[r.  Blake, 
it  a  good 
preacher, 
le  preach- 
iisly  com- 


you  ?  " 
jrs  are  mis- 
if  thev  are 

• 

a  what  you 

lefore;  will 

inferior  to 

In  what  re- 
rg^aieu." 


Teacher.  «  Why,  you  are  not  college-bred;  you  don't  wear  a 
gown,  and  you  don't  observe  the  laws  of  the  Church  and  the 
Bible." 

Miss.  "With  regard  to  not  being  'college-bred,'  not  wearing 
a  gown,  and  not  observing  the  laws  of  the  Church,  are  all  matters 
of  small  moment;  but  it  is  a  matter  of  serious  charge,  not  to  ob- 
serve the  laws  of  God.  In  what  respect  do  we  not  observe  the 
laws  of  God  ?  " 

Teacher.  "  You  eat  pork  on  Friday.' 

Miss.  "  Does  the  Bible  forbid  eating  pork  on  Friday  ?  " 

Teacher.  «  To  be  sure  it  does." 

Miss.  "  I  do  not  remember  to  have  read  such  a  prohibition  in  the 
Bible.  Will  you  please  to  tell  me  in  what  part  of  the  holy  book 
It  is  to  be  found  ?  " 

Taking  up  the  Bible,  and  turning  over  a  number  of  leaves,  he 
looked  confused;  and,  after  a  little  while,  said, 

"  I  do  not  think  it  is  in  the  Bible,  either ;  but  I  am  sure  it  is  in 
the  Prayer  Book." 

Miss.  "  I  do  not  remember  to  have  seen  anything  in  the  Prayer 
Book  about  eating  '  pork  on  Friday.' " 

Teacher.  »  But  I  am  sure  it  is  there.  Taking  up  a  Prayer  Book, 
he  read  the  Rubric  :  « Observe  all  the  Fridays  in  the  year,  except 
Chnstmas-day,  as  days  of  fasting  or  abstinence.' " 

Miss.  "  What  is  that  to  the  purpose  V  " 

Ten-^her.  "  Does  it  not  say '  Observe  all  the  Fridays  as  days  of 
abstinence  ? '  and  what  does  abstinence  mean  but  pork  ?  " 

Such  was  the  intelligence  of  the  only  Protestant 
teacher  in  the  bay,  when  the  providence  of  God  led 
the  first  Newfoundland  district  to  send  one  of  their 
number  for  the  instruction  of  the  people. 

Hants  Harbor  is  the  least  on  the  list  of  stations. 
It  IS  situated  on  the  south  shore  of  Trinity  Bay,  about 
eighteen  miles  from  Old  Perlican.  Some  of  the  first 
settlers  came  from  Old  Perlican ;  and  several  of  the 
aged  people  knew  the  first  Methodist  preachers  that 
visited  that  place.  Methodism  was  the  only  religious 
syst^em  with  which  they  were  acquainted ;  they  loved 
its  doctrines ;  and  brother  Lewis  was  received  bv  them 

20 


i    i 

!  \  i 


Ih 


230 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


with  much  thankfulness  and  pleasure.  Seal  Cove, 
three  miles  below,  and  Scilly  Cove,  six  miles  above 
Hants  Harbor,  constitute  the  several  parts  of  the  cir- 
cuit. Above  Scilly  Cove,  three  miles,  is  NeW  Perlican  ; 
and  about  the  same  distance  above  New  Perlican  is 
Heart's  Content.  These  places  were  occasionally  vis- 
ited by  our  ministers. 

The  aj)pointment  of  Mr.  Cubit  to  St.  Johns  was  a 
great  benefit  to  our  rising  cause  in  that  important  town. 
Mr.  Cubit  had  been  in  his  circuit  but  a  short  time 
before  his  learnin2  and  abilities  were  known  to  the 
public,  and  attracted  large  congregations  to  our  church. 
The  numbers  who  flocked  to  hear  him  were  not  disap- 
pointed ;  for  few  preachers,  in  their  public  capacity, 
were  more  "  apt  to  teach,"  than  Mr.  Cubit  His  store 
of  information  was  inexhaustible,  his  manner  was  strik- 
ing and  simple,  his  reasoning  was  cogent,  his  exposi- 
tions of  Scripture  were  rich,  and  his  arguments  in  de- 
fence of  revealed  truth  convincing  and  unanswerable. 

Among  other  fruits  of  his  ministry  was  a  young  gen- 
tleman attached  to  the  army,  —  Lieutenant,  afterwards 
Captain  Vicars,  of  the  Royal  Engineers,  who  came  to 
St.  Johns  lio;ht  and  volatile  in  his  manners,  and  in  his 
mind  strongly  imbued  with  deistical  principles.  Hear- 
ing of  the  learning  and  fame  of  this  newly  arrived 
Methodist  preacher,  he  thought  he  would  go  and  hear 
him,  and  see  if  he  could  prove  tliat  the  Bible  was  the 
word  of  God.  The  preaching  and  private  conversa- 
tion of  Mr.  Cubit  discovered  to  him  his  error,  and  he 
soon  became  convinced  of  his  guilty  state  by  nature, 
and  he  sought  and  found  the  pardoning  mercy  of  God. 
SL  rtly  af.erward  was  seen  in  St.  Johns  the  great 
moral  phenomenon  of  a  military  officer,  in  his  uniform, 
preaching  the  gospel  of  Jesus,  in  a  Methodist  chapel, 


HEDLEY    VICARS. 


[  Cove, 
s  above 
the  cir- 
erlican ; 
:lican  is 
ally  vis- 

3  was  a 
it  town. 
)rt  time 
I  to  the 
church. 
)t  disap- 
apacity, 
is  store 
as  strik- 

exposi- 
s  in  de- 
kverable. 
mg  gen- 
erwards 
came  to 
d  in  his 
Hear- 

arrived 
nd  hear 
was  the 
onversa- 
,  and  he 

nature, 
of  God. 
le  great 
aniform, 

chapel, 


to  the  public,  to  his  comrades  in  arms,  and  to  his  quon- 
dam companions  in  vice. 

Captain  Vicars  married  in  St.  Johns,  and  the  lady 
of  his  choice  was  also  a  Wesleyan.  The  regiment  to 
which  he  belonged  removed  from  Newfoundland  about 
two  years  after  his  conversion  ;  but  he  and  his  excel- 
lent lady  carried  their  religion  and  their  Methodism 
with  them  ;  and  when  God  gave  them  a  family,  they 
endeavored  to  bring  them  up  in  his  fear. 

Hedley  Vicars  was  the  son  of  this  gentleman.  He 
received  a  military  education,  obtained  a  commission  in 
the  army,  and  was  attached  to  the  ninety-seventh  regi- 
ment of  foot.  During  the  fearful  struggle  with  Rus- 
sia, the  ninety-seventh  was  ordered  to  the  scene  of 
conflict.  The  religious  instruction  that  vouno-  Vicars 
had  received,  while  under  the  paternal  roof,  was  blessed 
to  him ;  and  in  early  life  he  became  a  subject  of  con- 
verting grace.  Like  his  father,  he  was  not  ashamed 
of  the  cross,  but  whether  on  the  sea-girt  Island  of 
Malta,  surrounded  by  the  mummeries  of  Popery,  on 
the  mountains,  in  the  dells,  or  before  the  crumbling 
ruins  of  classic  Greece ;  whether  advancino-  to  the 
front,  where  the  booming  of  distant  artillery  showed 
the  position  of  Sebastopol  and  its  deadly  heights,  or 
doing  dangerous  duty  in  the  trenches,  he  instructed 
his  men  in  his  Bible-classes,  he  boldly  bore  the  gibes 
of  his  brother  officers,  and,  in  return,  made  known  to 
them  and  to  all  others  who  would  listen,  the  unsearch- 
able riches  of  Christ.  This  noble  youth  fell  in  the 
trenches,  when  .repelling  a  night  attack  by  the  Rus- 
sians, on  the  twenty-second  of  March,  1855.  Amontr 
his  last  words  were,  "  This  way,  ninety-seventh,"  in- 
tended to  direct  his  men  as  to  their  advance,  and  show- 
ing that  he  was  a  military  hero,  being  himself  in  the 


'! 
Si 

I  ^ 


232 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


place  of  danger ;  and  words  which  were  expressive, 
also,  of  his  religious  state,  and  directing  those  for  whose 
salvation  he  had  labored,  the  way  to  life  and  immor- 
tahty.  An  interesting  life  of  Hedley  -Vicars  has  been 
published ;  but  all  reference  to  his  Methodism,  or  the 
Methodism  of  his  pious  father,  has  been  studiously 
avoided. 

SABBATH    SCHOOLS. 

In  those  days,  there  was  but  little  education  in  New- 
foundland. Very  many  large  communities  were  with- 
out any  kind  of  school ;  so  that  only  a  few  persons  could 
read,  less^  were  able  to  write,  and  to  see  a  young  mar- 
ried couple  sign  the  marriage  register  was  no  ordinary 
event.  To  meet  this  want  as  much  as  possible,  our 
brethren  established  Sabbath  schools  in  every  circuit ; 
but  the  lack  of  persons  competent  to  teach  rendered 
it  necessary  for  the  preachers  and  their  families  to  take 
the  principal  part  in  instructing  the  children,  from  the 
enunciation  of  the  letters  of  the  alphabet  to  that  of 
reading  the  Scriptures  of  truth.  There  were  no  Wes- 
leyan  Catechisms  then  in  existence ;  so  that  instruction 
in  gospel  doctrines  and  Bible  history  had  all  to  be  given 
verbally,  which  was  a  great  additional  labor  for  the 
preachers.  But  they  were  compensated  in  the  readi- 
ness which  the  children  showed  in  acquiring  the  art  of 
reading,  and  the  knowledge  of  those  subjects  to  which 
their  attention  was  directed.  Hundreds  of  persons  in 
Newfoundland  obtained  all  their  knowledge  in  our  Sab- 
bath schools  ;  and  the  religious  impressions  made  upon 
their  minds,  while  in  those  schools,  were  never  forgot- 
ten ;  but  in  many  instances,  in  after  life,  were  the 
means  of  their  conversion. 

As    eVfirv    nprson.    both     mn]p    anrl    farnolo     •wrao     ««„ 


gag 
fish 

the 

getl 

harl 

mee 

mee 

ing 

prea 

half 

all  \ 

pres 

oft. 

thei] 


I  i/,^i  ^  I 


SABBATH     SCHOOLS. 


233 


jressive, 
1'  whose 
immor- 
las  been 
,  or  the 
adiously 


n  New- 
:e  with- 
18  could 
ig  mar- 
n'dinary 
ble,  our 
circuit ; 
endered 
to  take 
[•om  the 
that  of 
o  Wes- 
Tuction 
)e  given 
for  the 
i  readi- 
3  art  of 
)  which 
'sons  in 
iir  Sab- 
le upon 
forgot- 
jre   the 

as   OR' 


gaged  in  the  fishery,  either  in  catching  or  curing  the 
fish,  we  could  have  no  meetings  on  week  days  during 
the  summer,  but  all  our  meetings  were  crowded  to- 
gether on  the  Lord's  day.  Thus  in  most  of  the  out 
harbors  at  six  o'clock  in  the  morning,  a  prayer- 
meeting  would  be  held  in  the  chapel ;  at  seven,  a  class- 
meeting  ;  at  nine,  the  Sabbath  school ;  at  eleven,  preach- 
ing ;  at  two,  the  Sabbath  school  again ;  at  three, 
preaching;  after  preaching,  a  female  class;  and  at 
half-past  six  either  preaching  or  prayer-meeting.  At 
all  these  meetings  the  missionary  was  expected  to  be 
present ;  so  that  to  him  the  Sabbath  was  indeed  a  day 
of  toil.  But  God  gave  the  missionaries  strength  for 
their  day,  and  blessed  them  in  their  work. 


20  « 


i 
i 


«  i 


11 


f 


:i'>^ 


CHAPTER    VIII. 


NEWFOUNDLAND  MISSIONARY  SOCIETY  —  NOVA  SCOTIA  MISSIONARY  SO- 
CIETY —  JOHN  BELL—  OEOKOK  CUBIT  —  JOHN  WALSH  —  JOHN  HAIGH 
—  RICHARD  KNIGHT—  WESLEYAN  MISSIONS  —  I'ROPAGATION  SOCIE- 
TY—PERSECUTION IN  BONAVISTA  — ARRIVAL  OF  THE  WRITER  — 
STATE    OF    THE  COUNTRY. 


m^  \ 


THE  number  of  missionaries  at  the  first  district 
meeting,  which  was  in  1816,  was  eleven;  and  the 
district  contained  the  same  number  for  twenty-four 
years.     The  number  was  increased  to  Uvelve  in  1840. 

The  missionary  committee,  in  tlieir  report  for  1816, 
p.  25,  say,  —  "In  Newfoundland  there  are  not  less 
than  twenty  thousand  persons  without  religious  in- 
struction ;  and  the  old  people  among  the  settlers,  who 
remember  this  '  land  of  Bibles  and  ordinances,'  often 
weep  that  the  year  now  rolls  over  them  without  Sab- 
baths, without  public  worship  and  the  ministry  of  the 
word ! " 

In  this  same  year,  our  missionary  income  was 
X  12,5^5  08.  9i(?.,  which  paid  all  the  expenses  of  the 
year,  and  left  a  balance  in  hand  of  .£2,705  18^. 
The  total  number  of  missionaries  was  ninety,  and  of 
our  missionary  membership  twenty-one  thousand  and 
ninety-seven. 

Here  let  it  be  ^recorded  that  as  Newfoundland  was 
the  first  spot  in  our  moral  world  cultivated  by  Metho- 
dist missionary  enterprise,  so  it  was  the  very  first  place, 
out  of  England  and  Scotland,  that  contributed  to  our 
mission  fund.     Even  Ireland,  with  ail  her  magnanira- 

(234) 


NEWFOUNDLAND   DISTRICT. 


235 


ity,  and  althounrli  slie  lias  friven  so  many  missionaries 
to  this  and  other  countries,  and  long  has  had  a  Confer- 
ence of  her  own,  yet  1  ar  name  does^ot  appear  in  the 
Report  of  1817  as  a  contributor  to  our  mission  fund; 
but  Newfoundland  stands  out  in  bold  relief,  as  the  first 
contributor  in  the  sum  of  £30  188.  Qd.  sterlincr.  There 
was  no  Missionary  Auxiliary  Society  then  formed ;  but 
the  preachers  mentioned  the  matter  to  particular  friends, 
who  promptly  poured  their  moneys  into  the  treasury  of 
the  Lord.  The  subscriptions  were  taken  in  the  autumn 
of  1816,  and  paid  at  the  district  meeting  held  in  May, 
1817.  For  the  honor  of  the  names,  and  the  satisfaction 
it  may  give  to  the  children  or  families  whose  eye  may 
catch  this  narrative,  I  will  transcribe  the  missionary 
list  from  the  Report  of  1817,  which  now  lies  before  me. 


NEWFOUNDLAND  DISTRICT 

Cawley,  James,  Esq.,        ,        , 
Chancy,  L.,  Esq., 
Cowan,  Mr.  James,  . 
Cowan,  Mrs.,         .        ,        ,        , 
Gosse,  J.,  Esq., 

Henderson,  Mr.  J.,        ,        ,        , 
Henderson,  Mr.  B.,  . 
Johnson,  Mr.,        .        ,        .        , 
Lilly,  W.,  Esq.,         .        ,      \ 
McCartney,  Mr.,  .... 
St.  John,  Mr.,  .        .        ,        , 
Thistle,  Mrs.,        .... 
Small  sums  under  20s., 


£6  10    0 
2     0    0 


1 
1 
5 
1 
1 
1 
1 
1 


1 

1 

5 

1 

1 

1 

5 

0 

1  10  0 
15  0 
7  18     6 


0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 


£30  18     6 

Such  w^as  the  first  missionary  list,  out  of  Great 
Britain. 

While  Newfoundland  was  the  first  foreign  contrib- 
utor to  our  mission  fund,  Nova  Scotia  has  the  honor 
of  having  formed  the  first  foreign  auxiliary  missionary 
society. 


236 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


; 


ii 


On  the  tliird  of  June,  1817,  and  only  a  few  weeks 
after  tlie  above  money  was  reuiittecl  to  En«r|and,  "  the 
Methodist  Misskmary  Society  for  the  district  of  Nova 
Scotia,  including  New  Brunswick  and  Prince  Edward's 
Island,"  was  formed  in  Argyle  Street  Chapel,  Halifax. 
During  the  year,  branches  were  formed  in  Halifax, 
Liverpool,  Shelburne,  St.  Johns,  Fredericton,  Annapj- 
olis,  Cumberland,  Horton,  Newport,  and  Lunenburg ; 
and  the  total  net  amount  remitted  was  .£323  la.  dd. 
sterling.  The  first  annual  meeting  of  this  society  was 
held  in  Halifax,  June  2,  1818,  when  ten  resolutions 
were  passed,  and  twenty  speakers  addressed  the  meeting 
besides  the  chairman.  The  above  amount  was  iZ 
ported  at  this  meeting. 

From  the  report  published  by  the  Nova  Scotia  Mis- 
sionary Society,  in  1818,  we  make  the  following  ex- 
tract :  — 

"  In  Newfoundland,  where  so  much  distress  has  lately  prevailed, 
and  still  continues  to  exist;  where  there  have  been  such  de- 
structive fires;  where  so  many  pecuniary  embarrassments  have 
been  felt;  and  where  there  are  so  many  things  to  discourage 
and  depress  the  minds  of  missionaries,  —  your  committee  are  happy 
to  mform  you,  that  Methodist  missionaries  are  employed  in  blow- 
mg  the  gospel  trumpet,  and  are  wandering  along  its  barren 
shores  to  scatter  the  word  of  life.  There  they  have  necessarily 
to  endure  many  trials,  to  labor  under  peculiar  disadvantages ;  and 
havmg  lately  had  two  of  their  best  chapels  destroyed  by  fire, 
they  continue  undaunted  and  undismayed;  and,  relying  upon  the' 
Lord  God  of  Elijah,  cheerfully  prosecute  their  labors;  and  by  the 
latest  accounts  from  them,  we  learn  that  a  gracious  work  is  pro- 
gressmg  in  several  of  their  stations  and  circuits." 

The  circuits  to  which  reference  is  here  made  were 
Island  Cove  and  Perlican,  under  Thomas  Hickson; 
Harbor  Grace,  under  James  Hickson  ;  Trinity,  under 
William  Ellis;  and  Buren,  under  John  Lewis;  in  all 
which  places,  at  that  time,  the  Spirit  was  poured  out 


mg. 


}. 


JOHN    BELL. 


237 


\v  weeks 
itl,  "  the 
of  Nova 
Cclward's 
Halifax. 
Halifax, 
Annap- 
eiiburg ; 
5  78.  M. 
iety  was 
solutions 
meotiti^ 
was    rc- 

>tia  Mis- 


sing ex- 


prevailed, 
such  de- 
ints  have 
iscourage 
ire  happy 
in  blow- 
3  barren 
8cessarily 
iges ;  and 
i  by  fire, 
upon  the 
id  by  the 
'k  is 


pro- 


le were 
ickson ; 
,  under 
;  in  all 
-ed  out 


from  on  high  ;  and  our  societies  received  a  character 
and  a  pennaneiicy  which  they  still  retain. 

A  biographical  sketch  of  the  preachers  connected 
with  the  first  district  meeting,  which  have  not  been  so 
noticed,  will  now  be  given. 

John  Bell  was  a  native  of  Hull,  in  Yorkshire,  bom 
October  19,  1788.     His    parents  were  Episcopalians, 
but  he  was  awakened  to  a  sense  of  his  lost  state  by 
nature  when  in  the    fourteenth  year  of  his  age,  and 
joined  the  Wesleyan  church.     When  in   his  twenty- 
first  year,   he   began   to   use    his   talents   as  a   local 
preacher ;  and  in  the  year  1811  he  was  received  as  a 
probationer  in  our  ministry.     He  travelled  five  years  in 
England,  when  he  came  to  Newfoundland  as  a  mission- 
ary in  1816,  and  was  appointed  chairman  of  the  dis- 
trict.   He  was  the  second  man  who  filled  that  office,  and 
he  retained  that  position  until  the  year  1823,  when  he 
returned  to  his  native  land.     He  continued  to  labor  in 
his  high  vocation  until  the  year  1851,  when  he  became 
a  supernumerary.     He  was  very  neat  and  precise  in 
his  person.     His  preaching  abilities  were  not  of  a  high 
order ;  still,  as  a  preacher,  he  was  distinguished  b^  his 
perspicuity  and  great  simplicity.     He  was  an  excellent 
pastor,  and  in  the  sick-chamber  and  by  the  bed  of  the 
dying  his  affectionate  manner  was  often  made  a  bless- 
ing.    He   died   in   peace,  October   26,  1855,  in   the 
sixty-eighth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty-fiflh  of  his 
ministry. 

George  Cubit  was  born  in  the  city  of  Norwich,  in 
the  year  1791.  His  father's  family  removed  to  Shef- 
field, while  he  was  yet  a  boy,  when  he  attended  Carver- 
Street  Chapel.  He  joined  the  Wesleyan  church  in 
1808,  and  soon  after  became  a  subject  of  pardon, 
through  faith  in  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ.     He  now  be- 


238 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


gun  to  employ  himsolf  for  the  benefit  of  otliers,  and  it 
is  believed  that  ho  originated  the  plan  of  tract  dis- 
tribution by  loan.  He  also  commenced  to  act  aa  a 
local  preacher,  when  the  great  powers  of  his  mind 
became  developed,  and  it  was  seen  that  he  was  no 
ordinary  man,  but  gave  promise  of  superior  abilities. 
He  was  received  on  trial  for  the  itinerancy,  at  the  con- 
ference of  1813,  and  labored  three  years  in  England. 
He  came  to  Newfoundland  in  181G,  and  removed  from 
thence  in  1819,  spending  three  years  of  his  useful  life 
as  a  missionary  on  that  important  island.  Of  the  man- 
ner of  his  preaching,  and  the  success  of  his  labors  as 
a  Newfoundland  missionary,  we  have  already  spoken  ; 
and  we  shall  now  follow  him  to  his  native  land. 

For  sixteen  years,  he  filled  some  of  our  most  impor- 
tant circuits,  commanding  large  congregations  of  highly 
cultivated  and  intelligent  hearers.  In  1836,  he  was 
called  to  fill  the  editorial  chair,  first  as  assistant,  and 
afterward  as  principal  editor  of  our  English  Magazine, 
and  the  various  other  literary  and  religious  works  that 
constantly  flow  from  that  important  establishment,  the 
Wesley  an  Book -Room,  City  Road,  London.  For  many 
years,  he  presided  over  the  literature  of  the  connection 
with  great  judgment.  It  is  said,  however,  that  in  his 
latter  years  he  became  quite  a  recluse,  seldom  mixing 
with  society,  which  was  a  great  grief  to  his  friends, 
whom  he  had  so  often  instructed  and  delighted  with 
his  boundless  stores  of  religious,  scientific,  and  miscel- 
laneous knowledge.  He  died,  October  13,  1850,  in 
the  fifty-ninth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  thirty-seventh 
of  his  ministry. 

John  Walsh  was  born  at  Ormskirk,  Lancashire,  in 
the  year  1795.  His  parents  were  Roman  Catholics, 
and  he  ■was  brnno'ht  nn  in  that  reli^'ion.     His  father 


nme 


REVS.    JOHN    WAI^H    AND   NINIAN    BARR.         239 


I,  and  it 
•act  Jis- 
ict  as  a 
is  mind 

was  no 
abilities, 
the  con- 
Cn<:;land. 
/ed  from 
setul  life 
;he  man- 
abors  as 
spoken  ; 
[. 

it  impor- 
)f  highly 
,  he  was 
ant,  and 
[agazine, 
)rks  that 
lent,  the 
'or  many 
nnection 
lat  in  his 
1  mixing: 

friends, 
ited  with 
I  miscel- 
L850,  in 
-seventh 

shire,  in 
Catholics, 
[is  father 


Intended  that  he   shonld   bo  a  priest,  and  his  early 
education   was    all    in    reference  to  that  object.     Ke- 
nioving  from  Onnskirk   to  Liverpool,  ho  was   led   to 
visit  the  Methodist  Chapel,  where,  under  the  ministry 
of  the  Kev.  Joseph  Entwisle,  he  was  brought  to  the 
knowledge  of  the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus.     To  the  grief 
and  di8a|)pointment  of  his  popish  friends,  but  to  the 
honor  of  our  Protestantism,  he  renounced  the  Pa[)acy, 
and  became  a  Wesleyan  Methotlist.    In  the  year  1814, 
he  was  received  on  trial  as  a  Wesleyan  minister,  and 
stationed  in  Lancaster,  under  the  superintendency  of 
the  Rev.  John  Beaumont.     After  laboring  two  years 
in  the  Lancaster  Circuit,  he  came,  in  1814,  to  New- 
foundland, and  was  apj)ointed  to  Carbonear.     He  s])ent 
nine  years  on  the  Newfoundland  mission,  and  returned 
to  England  in  the  year  1825.     His  manner,  by  some, 
was  thought  to  be  stiff  and  priestly ;  but,  as  a  preacher, 
he  was  faithful  and  laborious ;  and  his  sermons  were 
rich  in  evangelical  truth,  and  always  delivered  with 
earnestness  and  power.     He  was  called  to  liis  reward 
on  the  19th  of  Decemb-r,  in  the  year  1857,  in  the 
sixty-third  year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty-fourth  of  his 
ministry.     Before    he  died,  his  spccc a  having  failed, 
his  sorrowing  wife  exclaimed,  "Victory  !  "    He  moved 
his  head  in  token   of  assent,  and  then  fell  asleep  in 
Jesus. 

Ninian  Barr,  a  Scotchman  by  birth.  He  was  called 
into  the  itinerant  work  by  the  conference  of  1816,  and 
appointed  as  a  missionary  to  Newfoundland.  His  man- 
ner was  cheerful  ;  he  was  a  man  of  talent,  and  a  good 
preacher.  He  labored  on  the  island  ten  years,  then 
returned  to  England.  He  filled  several  important  cir- 
cuits,  but  was  compelled  to  retire  from  the  active  work, 
"•-•    "-yj  d;;  i.iio  Cuiiiciciica  or  loo^.     ills  name  13 


240 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


the 


supernumerary 


Ahroath 


minutes  as 
Montrose  Circuit, 

John  Haigh  was  born  in  Leeds,  in  1795,  and  was 
brought  to  God  under  a  sermon  preached  by  the  late  Mr. 
William  Dawson.  In  1816,  he  was  received  into  the 
Wesleyan  ministry,  and  sent  to  Newfoundland,  where 
he  labored  twenty-one  years.  He  occupied  some  of 
the  best  circuits  in  the  district,  with  great  acceptance  to 
the  people ;  and  in  nearly  all  the  circuits  he  witnessed 
a  revival  of  religion.  In  1837,  he  was  nominated 
chairman  of  the  Bahama  District,  but  his  constitution 
would  not  endure  a  tropical  clime ;  he  therefore  re- 
turned to  England,  and  labored  eighteen  years  in  his 
native  land.  He  was  a  man  of  clear  perception,  a  good 
theologian,  an  earnest,  faithful,  and  practical  preacher. 
He  was  attacked  with  paralysis  ;  and,  after  remaining 
speechless  for  two  days,  he  died  May  2,  1859,  in  the 
sixty-fourth  year  of  his  age,  and  the  forty-third  of  his 
ministry. 

Richard  Knight,  D.  D.,  was  bom  in  Devonshire,  in 
the  year  1788.  We  have  no  information  of  the  time 
and  circumstances  connected  with  his  conversion  to 
God  ;  but  we  know  that  he  was  one  of  the  young  men 
sent  to  Newfoundland  in  1816.  His  first  appohitment 
was  Fortune  Bay,  and,  as  we  have  seen,  he  was  the  first 
Protestant  minister  of  any  name  that  resided  among 
that  people.  His  next  appointment  was  Bonavista  and 
Catalina,  on  the  way  to  which  the  fishing-boat  in  which 
he  sailed  put  into  the  harbor  of  Trinity.  While  there, 
he  preached  fi-om  Jeremiah  xxii.  29,  "  O  earth,  earth, 
earth,  hear  the  word  of  the.  Lord."  A  lady  was  pres- 
ent, then  one  of  the  gayest  of  the  gay.  She  had  been 
brought  up  a  strict  Church-of-Eugland  woman  ;  and 
while  she  in  heai't  despised  Methodism,  yet  she  thouglit 


she 


^1 


3. 

oath  and 

and  was 
late  Mr. 
into  the 
i,  where 
some  of 
:)tance  to 
witnessed 
>minated 
stitution 
sfore  re- 
's in  his 
1,  a  good 
>reacher. 
jmaining 
),  in  the 
rd  of  his 

ishire,  in 
the  time 
srsion  to 
mg  men 
)intment 

the  first 
I  among 
dsta  and 
in  which 
le  there, 
ti,  earth, 
^as  pres- 
lad  been 
in  ;  and 

thougiit 


REV.    MR.    KNIGHT. 


241 


she  would  go,  for  once,  to  the  Methodist  chapel ;   it 
might  afford  her  some  amusement.    But  her  mind,  that 
night,  was  powerfully  wrought  upon  by  the  Holy  Spirit. 
She  became  a  penitent ;  she  sought  and  found  mercy  ; 
she  united  herself  with  our  church ;   boldly  bore  the 
cross  ;  became  an  humble  follower  of  the  Lord  Jesus, 
employing  her  time  and  her  ample  means  in  visiting 
the  sick  and  the  poor;  and  to  the  utmost  did  she  spread 
abroad  the  knowledge  of  religion.    She  was  not  ashamed 
to  call  herself  a  Wesleyan,  and  sustained  the  cause  of 
Methodism  by  all  means  in  her  power.     This  lady  was 
6he  wife  of  William  Kelson,  Esq.,  who  also  became  a 
member  of  our   church,   and  who,  with  Dr.  George 
Skelton,  were  for  many  years  the  principal  supporters 
of   our  cause  in  the  Trinity  Circuit. 

Mr.  Knight   labored   in  Newfoundland  for  sixteen 
years,  and  in  several  circuits  was  he  made  eminently 
useful.      In  Carbonear  and  Blackhead,  extensive   re- 
vivals took  place  under  him,  and  many  persons  attrib- 
uted their  conversion  to  his  instrumentality.     He  was 
secretary  of  the  district  most  of  the  time  that  he  was 
on  that  mission.     In  the  year  1833,  he  came  to  Nova 
Scotia,  and  was  elevated  to  the  chair  of  the  district. 
He  continued  to  occupy  the  chair  of  the  Nova  Scotia, 
then  of  the  New  Brunswick,  district,  and,  after  the 
formation  of  the  Eastern  British  American  Conference, 
of  the  several  districts  where  he  resided,  until  he  was 
called  to  his  reward.     For  the  last  three  years  of  his 
hfe,  he  filled  the  office  of  co-delegate,  and  certainly 
would  have  been  elected  president  had  his  life   been 
spared.     He  made  no  pretensions  to  extensive  hterary 
attainments;    nevertheless   he   received   the  honorary 
title  of  D.  D.     He  was  a  good  preacher,  an  excellent 
pastor,  a  man  of  firm  integrity,  a  kind  father,  and,  as  a 

21 


!      I 

I! 

t    . 


\     t 


242 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


Methodist  preacher,  was  highly  respected  and  useful  in 
the  various  circuits  in  which  he  labored.  He  was  the 
senior  effective  Methodist  missionary  in  the  world.  He 
was  a  firm  believer  in  the  doctrine  of  Christian  perfec- 
tion ;  and,  for  years  before  his  death,  he  professed  to  live 
in  the  enjoyment  of  the  perfect  love  of  God.  His  frame 
was  athletic,  a  man  of  strong  muscular  powers,  and 
through  his  whole  life  almost  a  stranger  to  sickness. 
He  continued  to  labor  until  within  a  few  days  of  his 
end.  On  Sabbath,  May  14th,  he  preached  in  Sack- 
ville ;  on  Monday  and  Tuesday,  he  attended  the  aca- 
demic exercises,  but  was  taken  very  ill  on  Tuesday  even- 
ing, and,  on  the  twenty-third  of  the  same  month,  he 
exchanged  mortality  for  life.  He  died  at  Sackville,  on 
the  23d  of  May,  1860,  in  the  seventy-second  year  of  his 
age,  and  the  forty-fourth  of  his  ministry.  A  few  days 
before  his  death,  he  called  his  family  around  him,  and 
charged  them  all  to  meet  him  in  heaven.  Just  before  he 
expired,  he  exclaimed,  "  I  see  his  glory,  hallelujah  !  " 

Such  were  the  men  who  constituted  the  first  Wes- 
leyan  District  in  Newfoundland,  —  men  who,  while  they 
preached  the  truth  to  others,  themselves  lived  under  its 
influence,  and  in  death  triumphed  in  its  saving  power. 
Over  a  large  portion  of  the  island  had  these  heralds  of 
the  cross  carried  the  standard  of  their  Great  Captain, 
and  many  had  they  enlisted  into  his  service.  In  every 
circuit,  classes  had  been  formed.  Sabbath  schools  organ- 
ized, and  souls  converted  to  God.  Our  membership 
in  Newfoundland  was  then  670. 

The  Wesleyan  Church  had  now  begun  to  assume 
large  proportions,  and  to  appear  before  the  world  in  its 
true  lijiht,  as  a  missionary  church.  Its  missions  were 
now  planted  in  many  different  and  distant  lands  ;  and 
wliile  the  exEiIted  talents  of  Ricliard  Watson,  Jabez 


(I 


RETURN    OF    MR.    CUBITT. 


248 


3ns  were 


Bunting,  Adam  Clarke,  Robert  Newton,  George  Mor- 
ley,  and  a  host  of  otiier  gigantic  minds,  were  arousing 
the  churclies  in  England  to  their  duty  in  reference  to 
the  world's  conversion,  at  least  one  hundred  mission- 
aries, sent  out  through  their  influence,  were  proclaiming, 
in  various  languages,  the  solemn  verities  of  the  ever- 
lasting gospel. 

In  1818,  we  had  four  misionaries  in  France  ;  we  had 
missions  on  the  Island  of  Ceylon,  and  Continental  In- 
dia ;  in  New  South  Wales  and  Africa ;  at  Sierre 
Leone  and  Little  Namacqualand ;  in  the  West  Indies, 
in  the  Canadas,  Nova  Scotia,  New  Brunswick,  Prince 
Edward  Island,  and  Newfoundland.  The  total  mis- 
sionary membership  was  23,573.  The  balance-sheet 
for  the  same  year  presented  a  missionary  income  of 
^20,599  17s.  lid.  sterling.  This  was  a  large  sum  for 
our  exchequer,  c(  IJering  that  the  society  had  only 
been  organized  fi  e  Y':ars. 

The  Christianity  of  our  world  is  like  the  orbs  of  the 
solar  system,  which,  while  they  all  receive  light  from 
the  sun,  do  reciprocally  illuminate  each  other  ;  so  every 
evangelical  church,  receivhig  its  light  from  the  Sun  of 
Righteousness,  must  and  will  reflect  that  light  to  the 
*'  regions  beyond,"  and  then  farther  into  the  deep  re- 
cesses of  moral  darkness,  until  that  darkness  is  entirely 
dissipated,  and  every  land  enjoys  the  light  and  the  bless- 
ings of  pure,  Protestant  Christianity.  To  the  church  is 
the  injunction  given,  "Arise,  shine,  for  thy  light  is 
come,  and  the  glory  of  the  Lord  is  risen  upon  thee." 

The  missionary  band  in  the  Newfoundland  District 
continued  unbroken  until  about  the  month  of  January, 
1820,  when  Mr.  Cubitt,  on  account  of  ill  health,  had 
to  return  to  h*  native  land.  His  brethren,  however, 
continued   to  labor  in   their   ditterent  circuits   under 


I  1' 


'  I 


'ism*^'- 


iln" 


i    v     fj'j 


244 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


many  privations,  but  with  much  zeal  and  success. 
God  was  with  them ;  the  people  everywhere  received 
them  with  kindness,  and  attentively  listened  to  their 
instructions.  Tlie  fruit  of  their  labors,  in  many  in- 
stances, has  already  been  apparent ;  but  the  entire  result 
thereof  will  only  be  known  when  tiie  Great  Head  of 
the  Church  shall  appear  in  the  clouds  of  heaven  to 
"■judge  the  world  in  righteousness." 

In  the  year  1818,  the  population  of  the  island  was 
estimated  at  90,000  souls,  of  whom  about  40,000  were 
Protestants.  The  Protestant  population  were  scattered 
over  a  hne  of  coast,  which,  including  the  deep  indents 
of  the  large  bays,  extended  more  than  eight  hundred 
miles.  For  the  religious  instruction  of  this  large  and 
scattered  body  of  people,  the  agents  of  three  missionary 
societies,  and  no  more,  were  employed.  Of  these,  the 
Wesleyans  were  the  earliest  in  the  field,  and  by  far  the 
most  numerous.  We  had  eleven  missionaries,  and  oc- 
cupied different  positions  in  five,  out  of  the  eio-ht,  lar^e 
bays  of  the  island. 

The  second  was  the  Congregationalists.  These  had 
a  respectable  church  in  St.  Johns,  with  the  Rev.  Mr. 
Sabine  «is  pastor.  There  were  also  a  few  members  of 
this  church  residing  in  the  harbor  of  Twilliniiate. 

The  third  was  the  "  Society  for  the  Propagation  of 
the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts."  This  society  had  five 
missionaries,  viz.:  St.  Johns,  Rev.  Messrs.  Rowland 
and  Grantham ;  Harbor  Grace,  Rev.  Mr.  Carrington ; 
Trinity,  Rev.  Mr.  Clinch  ;  and  at  Twillingate,  Rev. 
Mr.  Leigh.  Messrs.  Rowland  and  Grantham  soon 
after  removed  from  the  island,  and  Mr.  Leigh  went  to 
England  for  a  time ;  so  that  in  1820  there  were  only 
two  Episcopal  clergymen,  Rev.  Mr.  Carrington,  who 
was  now  in  St.  Johns,  and  Rev.  Mr.  Ciinchj  in  Trinity. 


OPPOSITION    FROM    EPISCOPAL   CHURCH. 


245 


success, 
received 
to  their 
lany  i  fi- 
re result 
[lead  of 
aven  to 

md  was 
30  were 
cattered 

indents 
lundred 
I'ge  and 
jsionary 
ese,  the 

far  the 
and  oc- 
it,  large 

ese  had 
3V.  Mr. 
ibers  of 

-»• 

ition  of 
lad  five 
owland 
ngton ; 
!,  Rev. 
1  soon 
vent  to 
e  only 
1,  who 
/rinity. 


Beside  these  two  ministers,  they  had  eleven  persons 
called  school-masters,  some  of  whom  were  respectable 
men.  These  school-masters  received  from  £10  to  X20 
per  annum  for  reading  prayers  on  the  Sabbath.  This 
was  the  whole  establishment  of  the  Episcopal  Church  in 
the  year  1820. 

From  the  Roman  Catholics  of  Newfoundland  we 
have  never  met  with  any  formal  opposition  ;  but  we  re- 
gret to  say,  it  has  been  otherwise  with  the  ministers  of 
the  E})iscopal  Church.  The  Wesleyans  have  never 
placed  themselves  in  antagonism  to  the  Church  of  Eno-- 
land,  and  particularly  did  they  in  Newfoundland  re- 
spect the  ministers  of  the  Church.  But  that  respect  was 
returned  with  contempt  and  ridicule,  and  even  perse- 
cution when  in  their  power.  Did  not  the  official  pub- 
lications of  the  "  Propagation  Society  "  tend  to  this  ? 
We  give,  as  an  example,  an  extract  from  the  Report  of 
the  "Society  for  the  Propagation  of  the  Gospel  in 
Foreign  Parts,"  for  the  year  1818,  published  in  Lon- 
don. In  that  report,  at  page  46,  when  speaking  of 
Trinity  Bay,  we  have  the  following  paragraph  :  — 

"  The  whole  population  of  the  bay  is  estimated  at  one  thousand 
Bouls,  and  within  a  few  years  they  were  almost  exclusively  mem- 
bers of  the  Church  of  England;  but  lately  some  fanatic  preachers 
have  made  considerable  progress  there,  as  well  as  in  other  parts." 

The  compilers  of  that  report  ought  to  have  informed 
themselves  better,  ere  they  made  such  a  statement. 
Before  Methodist  preachers  went  to  Old  Perlican,  the 
people  of  Trinily  Bay  were  neither  "  members  of  the 
Church  of  England,"  nor  of  any  other  church ;  but 
were  "  without  God,"  literally  Atheists  in  the  world ; 
nor  did  Methodist  preachers  obtrude  upon  Episcopal 
ground,  as  the  above  statement  would  show. 

We  CQuId  ivtibrd  to  smile  at  the  expression  "  fanatic 


246 


iif: 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


i* 


preachers,"  when  appHed  to  such  men  as  George  Cu- 
bit, Richard  Knight,  and  others  of  our  brethren  whose 
powers  of  intellect  were  no  way  inferior  to  those  who 
wrote  that  sentence, —  only  it  was  a  sort  of  watchword 
for  the  persecution  of  the  people.  The  Committee  of 
the  Society  denounced  their  seniors  in  this  field  of 
labor  as  "  fanatics  ;  "  and  their  agents  must  put  down 
such  fanaticism,  whatever  means  they  employ  to  ac- 
complish their  purpose.  Thus  one  clerical  gentleman, 
in  that  same  Trinity  Bay,  would  show  his  superiority, 
by  occasionally  wearing  his  surplice  among  the  fisher- 
men in  the  public  path,  and,  with  a  portion  of  it  gath- 
ered in  his  hand,  would  say,  "  See,  I  can  wear  a  gown, 
but  Methodist  preachers  are  not  authorized  so  to  do." 
Another  said  to  one  of  our  friends,  "  How  is  it  that  you 
can  give  the  preference  to  that  Mr.  Hickson  (Brother 
James  Hickson)  who  is  '  so  much  my  inferior '  ?  " 
While  a  third  called  upon  the  father  of  two  young 
ladies  who  had  lately  joined  our  church,  and  said  to 
him,  "  It  is  your  duty  to  prevent  your  daughters  from 
going  to  the  Methodist  chapel,  and  make  them  come  to 
the  church."  The  kind  father  rephed,  "  Sir,  I  will  do 
no  such  thing ;  my  daughters  are  old  enough  to  think 
for  themselves ;  and,  if  they  wish  to  go  to  the  Method- 
ist chapel,  I  will  not  interfere  with  them." 

But  the  most  serious  persecution  occurred,  a  little 
later  than  this,  in  the  Harbor  of  Bona  vista.  The  auto- 
graph written  at  the  time,  and  containing  the  details  of 
this  painful  matter,  now  lies  before  me  ;,and,  suppressing 
the  names,  I  will  give  a  condensed  statement  of  the 
case.  V 

A  certain  clerical  gentleman  came  to  Bonavista  to 
reside  only  for  a  time ;  but  his  zeal  was  great  against 
the  fanatics,  which  zeal  had  been  greatly  excited  by 


OPPOSITION    FROM    EPISCOPAL    CHUKCH. 


247 


'  2  " 


reading  an  article  in  an  English  Methodist  magazine 

which  chanced  to  fall  into  his  hands.     Just  then,  God 

had  been  pleased  to  bless  us  with  a  revival  of  religion, 

and  among  many  others  who  were  awakened  was  a 

married  woman   who    had   been   an   attendant  at  the 

Episcopal  Church.     The  event  excited  the  surprise  of 

her  friends,  who  said  she  was  out  of  her  senses.     The 

doctor  was  called  in,  who  said  there  was  nothing  the 

matter  with  her  ;  yet  he  thought  that  bleeding  would  do 

her  good,  so  he  cupped  her  in  the  back  of  the  neck. 

The  clergyman  was  s,ant  for,  and  she  told  him  she  felt 

herself  a  sinner,  and  wished  to  learn  the  way  to  heaven. 

He  said  she  was  hypochondriacal;   and  if  her  friends 

would  try  and  amuse  her,  or  even  take  her  out,  and 

'pelt  net  a  little  with  snow-balls^  it  would  perhaps  drive 

away  her  melancholy.     The  Wesleyan  minister  went 

to  see  her,  and  to  him  she  spoke  freely.     She  said  she 

felt  herself  to  be  a  guilty  sinner,  and  wished  to  learn 

the  way  to  heaven.     As  soon  as  his  reverence  heard 

that  the  Methodist  preacher  had  been  to  see  the  woman, 

he  wrote  rather  a  singular  note,  from  which  we  make 

the  following  extracts :  — 

"  I  have  been  told  you  have  been  to  visit .     I  beg  to  be 

informed  if  it  be  true,  and  by  whom  you  were  sent  for.  Had  I 
visited  one  of  your  flock  when  she  was  hypochondriacal,  I  should 
have  considered  myself  guilty  of  impertinent  interference. 

"  With  Mr.  Wesley,  I  cannot  ascribe  these  things  hastily  to  God. 
I  do  not  suppose  dreams,  voices,  impressions,  visions,  or  revelations 
to  come  from  God:  they  may  be  from  him;  they  may  be  from  na- 
ture; they  may  be  from  the  devD. 

"  Your  obedient 

"John ." 

The  missionary,  on  the  evening  of  the  same  day  that 
he  received  the  above  note,  met  the  doctor,  and  asked 
him,  ''  Does  Mrs.  P labor  under  any  bodily  dis- 


248 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


9" 


ease  r  '  He  replied,  "  No ;  there  is  nothing  the  matter 
with  her  body  :  it  is  all  mental,  and  arises  from  mistaken 
notions  of  religion  ;  and,  if  she  was  my  wife,  I  would 
flog  her  well.^* 

After  this,  her  head  was  shaved  and  blistered  ;  her 
hands  were  tied  ;  and  her  cruel  father  actually  flogged 
her.  Still  it  was  stated  that  nothincj  was  the  matter 
with  her,  but  "  mistaken  notions  of  relisrion." 

The  Wesleyan  minister  was  now  peremptorily  ex- 
cluded from  the  house  ;  but  some  of  our  female 
members  contrived  for  a  short  time  longer  to  see 
her.  One  of  these  ladies  happened  to  go  to  the 
house  just  after  her  father  had  beaten  Ler.  She  was 
standing  at  the  door,  and  addressed  our  friend  as 
she  entered,  "  Oh,  how  happy  I  am  to  see  you  ;  see 
how  I  am  treated,  'and  there  is  nothing  the  matter 
with  me,  only  I  feel  myself  to  be  a  sinner,  and  I 
want  some  one  to  tell  me  the  way  of  salvation." 
Here  the  conversation  was  interrupted  by  her  brother, 
who  began  to  swear  at  her,  and  call  her  father  to  come 
again  and  flog  her. 

Upon  another  occasion,  three  of  our  female  members 
went  in  company  to  see  her ;  and  the  doctor  was  at  the 
door,  who  reluctantly  consented  to  their  admission  ;  but 
gave  them  them  this  caution,  **  I  have  one  thing  to 
say,  and  that  is,  you  must  not  speak  to  her  on  religious 
subjects."  When  they  entered  the  room,  she  had  a 
strait-jacket  on,  and  a  blister  on  her  head.  While 
they  conversed  on  common  topics,  all  went  on  well  ; 
but,  the  moment  they  introduced  religious  conversation, 
they  were  interrupted,  and  she  was  threatened  with 
confinement  in  a  dark  room.  With  much  difficulty, 
they  succeeded  in  getting  permission  to  pray  with  her. 
This  was  the  last  time  they  could  do  so  ;  for,  in  the 


:s. 


OPPOSITION    FROM    EPISCOPAL    CHURCH.  249 


he  matter 

mistaken 

,  /  would 

red  ;  her 

y  flogged 

le  matter 
» 

torily  ex- 
ir  female 
■r  to  see 
a  to  the 
She  was 
friend  as 
^ou  ;  see 
e  matter 
r,  and  I 
Ivation." 
•  brother, 
:  to  come 

members 
'^as  at  the 
sion ;  but 
thing  to 
rehgious 
le  had  a 
.  While 
on  well  ; 
rersation, 
tied  with 
lifficulty, 
with  her. 
>r,  in  the 


evening  of  the  same  day,  the  Rev.  Mr. came  in 

great  wrath,  and  absolutely  forbade  that  any  "  more 
Methodists  should  be  permitted  to  see  her." 

The  following  Sabbath,  one  of  our  local  preachers 
determined    to  make  an  effort  to  see  her,  as  he  was 
a  distant  relation.     He  went  in  the  afternoon,  while 
most  of  the  family  were  at  church  ;  but  her  father  was 
at  home,  who  admitted  our  friend  with  very  great  re- 
luctance.    He   stated   that  she  was  quite  gentle,  and 
had  no  appearance  of  gloom  or  melancholy  ;  but  she 
still  had  on  the  strait-jacket,  and  a  blister  on  her  head. 
He  inquired  as  to  the  state  of  her  mind.     She  replied, 
"  I  am  a  poor  ignorant  creature  ;  I  feel  I  am  a  sinner, 
and  nothing  but  the  blood  of  Christ  can  do  me  good.'' 
Her  father  overheard  the  conversation,  and  came  into 
the  room,  when  our  friend  asked  permission  to  pray 
with   her.     The  abrupt   reply  was,  '*  No  !  "    He  re- 
monstrated,   "  Not   pray  with  your  daughter   in    her 
present  state  of  mind  ;  that  is  cruel  !  "     The  father  re- 
plied, "  I  have  a  minister  of  my  own,  and  I  do  not 
wish    to  offend   him."     Our  friend   answered,   "Re- 
member, while  you  are  trying  to  avoid  giving  offence  to 
your   minister,   you   are   sinning   against   God  :    the 
salvation  of  your  daughter  is  at  stake."     "  Well,  said  " 
lie,    "you  should  pray  with  her  with  all  my  heart; 
but  the  Rev.  Mr. was  here  last  night,  and  he  for- 
bids any  person   praying  with  her;    beside,   they  are 
now  praying  for  her  in  the  church."    The  poor  woman 
m  the  end  was  compelled  to  yield,  and  was  never  after- 
ward permitted  to  enter  a  Methodist  chapel. 

I  will  make  no  comment  on  the  above  ;  only  would 
assure  the  reader,  that  the  statement  was  not  compiled 
from  a  series  of  flying  reports,  but  was  taken  down 
from  the  lips  of  the  parties,  on  the  respective  days 
when  the  event  occurred. 


w 


2'50         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


/ 
/ 


I  ' 


I 


In  the  year  1819,  the  Rev.  Georgo  Cubit  returned 
to  EntT-land,  and  thus  r'^duced  tlie  number  of  our  mis- 
sionaries  to  ten.  But,  in  the  spring  of  1820,  the  writer 
was  sent  to  make  up  the  number  to  eleven.  He  came 
from  the  London  West  Circuit,  then  under  the  super- 
intendency  of  the  Rev.  George  Morley.  He  was 
ordained  in  Chelsea  Chapel,  London,  April  5,  1820  ; 
left  Liverpool  on  the  21st  of  the  same  month,  and 
landed  at  Harbor  Grace  on  Sabbath,  May  21st.  The 
district  meeting  commenced  June  1st ;  and  his  appoint- 
ment was  St.  Johns,  under  the  superintendency  of 
the  Rev.  John  Pickavant. 

Newfoundland  was  still  without  any  roads  ;  and,  ex- 
cept in  the  vicinity  of  St.  Johns,  there  was  not 
a  house  anywhere  one  mile  from  the  water-side. 
Three  calamitous  fires  had  reduced  the  town  of  S*;. 
Johns  to  great  distress,  from  the  effects  of  which 
it  was  now  slowly  recovering.  The  first  fire  has 
been  noticed  in  this  narrative.  It  occurred  on  the 
12th  of  February,  1816,  and  desolated  a  great  part  of 
the  town.  The  property  destroyed  was  said  to  exceed 
£100,000  sterling  ;  beside  which,  some  fifteen  hun- 
dred human  beings  were  left  houseless  and  penniless 
amid  the  snow  and  storms  of  a  Newfoundland  winter. 
The  second  fire  broke  out  on  the  night  of  November 
7th,  1817,  which,  in  the  short  space  of  nine  hours, 
destroyed  thirteen  mercantile  establishments,  well 
stocked  with  provisions,  one  hundred  and  forty 
dwelling-houses,  and  property  to  the  amount  of 
£500,000  sterling.  This  was  succeeded  by  a  third 
fire,  which  happened  on  the  21st  of  the  same  month, 
when  several  other  wharves  and  stores,  with  fifty-six 
other  dwelling-houses,  were  entirely  consumed. 

These  repeated   fires  produced   great  distress,  and 


returned 
our  mis- 
le  writer 
^e  came 
IB  super- 
He  was 
5,  1820  ; 
ntli,  and 
it.  The 
appoint- 
iency  of 

and,  ex- 
was  not 
iter-side. 
n  of  St. 
f    which 

fire  has 
i  on  the 
t  part  of 

0  exceed 
sen  hun- 
penniless 
d  winter, 
fovember 
le  hours, 
iits,  well 
nd  forty 
ount  of 
J  a  third 
e  month, 

1  fifty-six 
d. 

ress,  and 


ARRIVAL   OF    REV.    WTIUam    WII50N. 


251 


previMM  t)br  merchants  from  ordering  supplies  from 
Eiiro^  to  tfi«   extent   to  which  they  had   been   ac- 
customed.    Many  of  the    inhabitants  were   in   great 
want,  and    became    desperate  ;    provision    stores    and 
private  houses  were  broken  open,  both  in  St.    Johns 
and  Carbonear.     The  people  of  Conception  Bay  called 
the  winter  of  1817  the  "  winter  of  the  rals,"  from  a 
sort  of  watch-word  which  was  used  in  these  gatherings. 
When  the  writer  of  this  arrived  in  his  circuit,  the 
town  was  being  rebuilt.     A  new  chapel  and  mission- 
house  had  been  erected,  by  the  kind  contributions  of 
the   friends   of    missions    in    various   parts   of    Great 
Britain.     St.  Johns  Circuit  then  comprised  Portugal 
Cove,    Torbay,   and*  Petty    Harbor.      In   the   town, 
beside   our   usual   services  in   the  chapel,  we,  durino- 
summer,  preached  in   the   open    air  once  a  week    at 
River    Head    and    Magotty    Cove.     Portugal    Cove 
is  nine  i^iles  from  St.  Johns.      There  is  now  a  good 
road  to  tl  is  place  ;  but  then,  for  more  than  half  way, 
it  was  a  complete  bog.     Here  we  had  a  small  society, 
and  an  excellent  local  preacher,  Mr.  Curtis,  so  that  we 
visited    this    place  but  occasionally.     The  next  place 
was  Torbay,  which  is  north   from    St.  Johns,  about 
seven  miles.     The  path  is  mostly  bog ;  but  we  thought 
little  of  the  walk,  as  we  were  always  rewarded  with 
every  kindness  from  the  people,  and  had   the  whole 
Protestant  population  as  our  regular  hearers.     Pettj-- 
Harbor   is   nine   miles  south   from   St.  Johns.      For 
three  fourths  of  the  way,  the  path  was  over  a  series  of 
high  hills,  many  of  them  having  an  inclination  of  more 
than  forty-five  degrees,  with  large  rocks  and  caverns  al- 
most every  step  ;  ^o  that  locomotion  was  necessarily  very 
slow,  and  the  labor  very  great  to  the  wearied  pedes- 


trian. 


The  winter  path  was  not  so  exhausting,  as  it 


252 


NEWFOUNDI-AND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


.   t, 


lay  mostly  over  ponds  and  level  marshes.  This  was 
truly  mission  ground,  where  we  both  had  to  toil  and 
suffer.  Newfoundland  is  justly  proverbial  for  its  hos- 
pitality ;  and,  in  the  out-harbors,  every  house  is,  or  may 
be,  the  stranger's  home.  Petty  Harbor  was  an  ex- 
ception. The  people  would  come  to  hear  us  preach, 
but  none  would  invite  us  to  their  tablo.  We  were 
accustomed  to  walk  this  terrible  path  on  Sabbath 
morning  -  irly,  preach  twice,  and  teach  a  small 
sabbath  school,  remain  without  dinner,  unless  wo 
took  it  witii  us,  and  return  the  same  nine  miles  in 
the  evening.  Often  has  the  writer  been  compelled 
to  satisfy  the  cravings  of  hunger  with  a  few  berries 
])lucked  by  the  way-side.  One  Sabbath,  Brother 
Pickavant  walked  this  laborious  eighteen  miles, 
preached  twice,  and,  having  taken  no  food  since  the 
morning,  he  fainted  as  soon  as  he  entered  the  Mission 
House.  How  merciful  was  the  Redeemer,  when  he 
justified  his  disciples,  who,  Ibeing  "  an  hungred "  on 
the  "  Sabbath  day,"  began  to  pluck  the  ears  of  corn 
and  to  eat.  When  the  winter  came  on,  it  was  not 
possible  to  return  on  Sabbath  evening :  we  therefore 
went  on  Saturday,  and  remained  generally  until  Tues- 
day morning.  The  writer  had  to  sleep  two,  and  some- 
times three,  nights  every  fortnight,  during  the  severe 
winter  of  1820-1821,  in  an  open  loft,  on  a  bed  of 
shavings,  with  two  horse-rugs  for  his  covering.  These 
labors  were  not  in  vain  ;  great  good  was  done  both  in 
Torbay  and  Petty  Harbor ;  and,  could  those  places 
have  been  attended  in  after  years,  we  certainly  should 
have  seen  much  fruit  :  but  the  paucity  of  missionaries 
rendered  it  necessary  for  the  district  meeting,  at  its 
next  meeting,  to  remove  the  second  preacher  from  the 
ut.  </ 0x1X13  v>ircuit.  when  they  xiad  to  be  aoauuoiiQd. 


^his  was 
toil  and 
■  its  hos- 
,  or  may 
\  an  ex- 

prcach, 
Vii  were 
Sabbath 
a  small 
less  wo 
miles  in 
•mpelled 

berries 
Brother 
miles, 
nee  the 
Mission 
i^hen  he 
•ed  "  on 
of  corn 
was  not 
herefore 
;il  Tues- 
id  some- 
i  severe 

bed  of 
These 
both  in 
5  places 
r  should 
iionaries 
y,  at  its 
Tom  the 
icd. 


CHAPTER    IX. 

FinST  MtS8I.,NAI,Y  RKPOHT8  -  U8AOKE  OF  TIIK  PhKACIIKKS  -  MI88IOS. 
ARY  8KCKKTAKIE8-CI1<CULA„8_JABK2  BUNTING  _  JOHMMI  TAY- 
LOR- HHIIAIU)  WATSON  -  ,,K0IU;K  MOKLKY  —  J<»1IN  MASON  -  LACK 
OF  SCHOOLS— NKWF()INI)I.AND  SCHOOL  M.CIKTY  —  liEVIVAL  IN  OI  D 
PKRLICAN  CIKCLIT-  STATIONS  FOR  1824  ~  ALAM  NIGHTINGALK  - 
JOH>  HoYD. 

I^HE  first  two  reports  were  made  up  to  February 
.  1st ;  the  next  four,  to  June  24th  ;  out,  'nee  the 
year  1820,  our  balance-sheet  was  not  nude  up  »v:til  the 
31st  of  December.  The  amounts  for  tlic,;  yea;  „  wore 
as  follows :  — 


1814,  amount  of  income  to  February  1, 

1815,  "  "  u 

1«16,        •'  a        to  June  24, 

1817, 

1818, 
1811), 
182U, 


u 
it 
(( 
(( 
(( 
t( 


(( 

«          II 

(( 

«          « 

a 

«          i( 

u 

to  December  31, 

£ 

6,820 

y.'554 

12,565 

19,933 


s.  d. 
2  5 
4  4^ 
0  dl 
7   7J 


20,599   17   7^ 
25,087     9  8 
37,221   15  9 

The  number  of  our  missionaries  at  the  conference 
of  1821  was  one  hundred  and  thirty-two ;  and  our 
missionary  membership,  28,699. 

The  early  missionary  reports  contain  a  mass  of 
interesting  matter,  at  which  we  need  not  be  surprised, 
when  we  know  that  they  arc  the  production  of  the 
giant  mind  of  Richard  Watson,  a  nmn  who  seemed 
to  scan  the  world  at  a  glance,  and  thoroughly  to  under- 
stand its  state  and  its  wants  ;  who  knew  the  talent, 
tact,  and  the  necessities  of  every  missionary  in  the 

2a  (253) 


254         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

field ;  whose  pulpit  oratory,  unsurpassed  in  a  century, 
was  always  employed  on  behalf  of  missions ;  whose 
pen  put  their  enemies  to  silence;  whose  theological 
productions  will  continue  to  benefit  mankind  to  the 
latest  period  of  time ;  who  did  more,  and  with  greater 
effect,  toward  the  emancipation  of  slaves  in  the  West 
Indies,  than  any  other  man  in  England,  not  in  the 
Legislature  ;  whose  life  was  a  pattern  of  kindness,  dili- 
gence, and  piety ;  whose  end  was  peace  ;  and  whose 
name  will  go  down,  with  unblemished  reputation,  to 
unborn  generations. 

Such  was  the  character  of  one  of  the  first  secreta- 
ries of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist  Missionary  Society ; 
and  his  coadjutors,  Jabez  Bunting  and  Joseph  Taylor, 
were  truly  kindred  spirits  with  1  is  own. 
\  The  missionary  committee,  and  especially  the  secre- 

taries, as  soon  as  they  entered  office,  found  that  they 
not  only  had  to  raise  money  for  missionary  purposes, 
but  also  that  it  was  incumbent  upon  them  to  see  that 
the  moneys  so  raised  should  be  properly  expended. 
There  were  three  usages  among  our  first  missionaries, 
which  would  now  appear  extremely  strange.  The 
first  was,  that  every  missionary  had  a  separate  and  in- 
dividual right  to  draw  bills  for  his  own  support,  without 
any  limit  as  to  the  amount  of  the  bill.  The  confer- 
ence of  1815  put  its  veto  upon  this  practice,  by  the 
following  minute :  — 

♦'  No  missionary  in  the  West  Indie",  Newfoundland,  Nova  Scotia, 
New  Brunswick,  Canada,  or  Bcrmnda,  shall  be  permitted  to 
draw  a  bill  for  more  than  fifty  pounds  at  one  tinie,  without  pre- 
vious advice  and  explanation  of  the  extraordinary  nature  and 
circumstance  of  the  case.  No  missionary,  stationed  in  the  East, 
shall  be  permitted  to  draw  a  bill  for  more  than  one  hundred  and 
fifty  pounds  at  one  time,  without  similar  advice." 


century, 
;  whose 
eolocrical 
1  to  the 
1  greater 
the  West 
>t  in  the 
less,  dih- 
nd  whose 
;atiou,  to 

:  secreta- 

Society ; 

1  Taylor, 

the  secre- 
that  they 
purposes, 
D  see  that 
sxpended. 
isionaries, 
e.  The 
;e  and  in- 
t,  without 
le  confer- 
e,  by  the 


Tcva  Scotia, 
ermitted  to 
without  pre- 
nature  and 
in  the  East, 
lundred  and 


MISSIONARY    USAGES. 


255 


The  second  usage  was,  the  appropriation  of  moneys 
from  the  sale  of  books,  sent  by  the  book-steward,  to  the 
personal  use  of  the  missionaries.  Tlie  conference  also 
put  this  right  in  1816,  by  the  following  minute :  — 

"  That  all  our  missionaries  shall  be  personally  responsible  to  the 
book-steward  for  all  books  which  they  may  order  from  him  for 
the  purpose  of  sale  at  their  respective  stations.  But  they  shall  be 
left  at  liberty,  at  their  several  district-meetings,  to  apply  the  pro- 
duce of  such  sales,  if  they  deem  it  expedient,  to  the  payment  of 
their  ordinary  deficiencies  as  missionaries,  so  far  as  it  will  go ;  and 
shall  pay  the  book-steward  what  they  owe  him,  by  sending  him 
an  order  on  the  missionary  treasurer  in  London,  to  the  amount 
of  those  ordinary  deficiencies,  which  they  have  received  out  of 
the  book-money." 

The  third  usage  was,  they  drew  bills  upon  ot^er 
persons  beside  the  treasurers  for  their  support.  The 
conference  of  1817  regulated  this  matter  by  the  folio w- 
infj  resolution :  — 

"  That  the  missionaries  shall  be  peremptorily  prohibited  from 
drawing  bills,  for  missionary  expenses,  upon  any  other  person  than 
the  general  treasurers ;  and  that,  in  order  to  prevent  any  such 
irregularities,  printed  forms  of  bills  shall  be  forwarded  to  each 
missionary  station  ;  of  which  forms,  and  no  others,  the  missiona- 
ries shall  be  required  to  mal  e  use,  when  they  have  occasion." 

Beside  the  above  irregularities,  the  missionaries  had 
no  fixed  allowance  for  either  board  or  quarterage  ;  and 
it  was  truly  amusing,  at  the  district  meeting,  to  hear  the 
brethren  read  their  circuit  accounts,  and  name  each 
article  of  food  and  clothing  that  was  made  use  of  during 
the  year.  There  was  always  something  in  the  account 
which  must  be  struck  out.  This  we  called  rasping. 
No  matter  what  the  brother  himself  thought  of  his 
account,  it  was  sure  to  be  rasped  at  the  district  meet- 
ing.    One  man  would  have  had  too  much  beef ;  another 


256         NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


'!# 


tii 


was  rather  too  expensive  in  sugar;  a  third  had  a 
new  coat  when  his  old  one  would  have  lasted  a  little 
longer  ;  another  wore  out  too  many  shoes ;  and  such  a 
brother  could  not  want  so  many  pocket  handkerchiefs 
as  appeared  on  his  bill.  This  matter  engaged  the  early 
attention  of  the  secretaries  and  missionary  committee, 
who  issued  their  first  circular  on  March  31,  1819. 
This  circular  now  lies  before  me,  from  which  I  will 
extract  the  second  paragraph  :  — 

*'  It  is  highly  desirable  that  a  regular  and  proper  scale  of  allow- 
ances of  income  should  be  established  for  the  various  missionaries 
in  every  part  of  the  world,  so  as  to  provide  them  with  what  is 
sufficient  for  food,  clothing,  &c.,  in  those  places  where  they  reside, 
according  to  the  necessary  expense  of  living  in  each  place.  We 
are  of  opinion,  also,  that  the  allowance  ought  to  be  such  as  will 
render  the  missionaries  and  their  families  sufficiently  comfortable, 
while  engaged  in  their  great  and  important  work." 

The  circular  bears  the  signature  of  "Charles  At- 
more,  Chairman." 

The  substance  of  .this  circular  engaged  the  attention 
of  the  brethren  in  Newfoundland  for  some  two  years 
before  they  could  agree  as  to  the  scale  of  allowance 
they  would  request  the  committee  to  make  for  their 
district.  Brother  John  Walsh  took  an  active  part  in 
this  matter.  He  carefully  ascertained  the  expenses  of 
each  circuit  in  the  district ;  calculated  what  clothes  each 
brother  would  require ;  and,  making  allowances  for  mis- 
cellaneous and  incidental  expenses,  he  drew  up  a  scale 
of  allowance,  and  presented  it  at  the  district  of  1822, 
which,  being  sanctioned  by  the  missionary  committee, 
formed  the  scale  of  allowance  which,  with  some  trifling 
alteration,  has  been  observed  to  the  present  time. 

Beside  the  above  circular,  the  secretaries  were  ac- 
customed, a  few  days  after  the  close  of  conference,  to 


23. 


SECRETARIES. 


257 


rd  had  a 
id  a  little 
lid  such  a 
dkerchiefs 
the  early 
ommittee, 
51,  1819. 
ich  I  will 


lie  of  allow- 
missionaries 
nth  what  is 
they  reside, 
place.  We 
such  as  •will 
comfortable, 


larles  At- 

3  attention 
two  years 
allowance 
)  for  their 
ve  part  in 
cpenses  of 
lothes  each 
les  for  mis- 
up  a  scale 
t  of  1822, 
?ommittee, 
me  trifling 
ime. 

i  were  ac- 
ference,  to 


send  '*  an  annual  circular  "  to  each  missionary,  giving 
a  condensed  view  of  the  proceedings  of  the  conference, 
the  state  of  the  connection,  the  state  of  the  different 
funds,  with  instructions  to  the  missionaries  on  particu- 
lar topics,  and  other  information  of  great  value  and  im- 
portance to  the  missionaries  at  that  time,  as  neither  the 
"  Wesleyan  "  nor  the  "  Watchman  "  then  existed  ;  and 
particularly  were  these  circulars  valued  in  the  distant 
stations  of  this  mission,  where,  for  six  months  of  the 
year,  we  never  saw  a  newspaper,  or  received  a  letter. 

The  substance  of  these  circulars  was,  in  the  year 
1832,  put  in  the  form  of  a  small  volume,  called  "  An 
Appendix  to  the  General  Instructions  of  the  Missionary 
Committee,  for  the  private  use  of  the  Missionaries." 
From  this  little  volume,  we  shall  make  one  extract, 
because  it  will  always  be  of  importance  to  the  right 
working  of  our  itinerancy.  The  heading  is,  "  Solitary 
Stations :  "  — 

"  Several  of  the  districts,  and  especially  those  in  British  Norti 
America  and  Newfoundland,  are  divided  almost  entirely  in  solitary 
stations,  in  consequence  of  which  many  circuits  are  unavoidably 
intrusted*  to  the  superintendence  of  young  men,  with  little  experi- 
ence in  the  discipline  of  Methodism,  to  the  great  detriment  of  the 
societies,  and  to  the  hinderance  of  the  work  of  God.  We  would 
recommend  to  the  chairmen  and  brethren  of  districts  so  circum- 
stanced, to  turn  their  attention  to  a  union  or  re-arrangement  of 
their  circuits,  so  that  two  preachers  may,  as  far  as  practicable,  be 
stationed  together ;  and  the  young  men  be  thus  placed,  as  long  as 
needful,  under  the  direction  of  the  senior  brethren." 

We  shall  here  give  a  biographical  sketch  of  our  mis- 
sionary secretaries,  that  the  reader  may  form  a  judg- 
ment of  the  men  who  guided  our  missionary  eoncerns 
in  their  first  movements,  and  by  whose  judicious  man- 
agement, at   that  early  time,  is,   under  God,  mainly 

22* 


a 


■  iiiM 


IfK 


P  ■■ 


258         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

owiiK^  the  present  reputation  and  wide-spread  influence 
of  the  Wesley  an  Methodist  Missionary/  Society.'^ 

The  secretaries  were  Jabez  Bunting,  Joseph  Taylor, 
and  Ricliard  Watson. 

Jabez  Bunting,  d.  d.,  was  senior  secretary.     He  was 
a  man  of  deep  piety,  of  singularly  quick  apprehension 
of  mind  ;  while  his  judgment  was  acute,  discriminating, 
comprehensive,  and  far  seeing.     At  the  first  missionary 
meetintr,  which  was  held  in  Leeds,  October  6,  1813,  lie 
was  only  of  fourteen  years'  Methodistic  standing ;  but, 
from  that  period,  he  held  a  prominent  position  in  all  the 
institutions  of  Metliodism,  —  defending  those  institutions 
when  attacked  by  their   enemies,  and   sustaining   the 
connection  itself  by  liis  wisdom  and  humility,  when,  by 
some  of  its  unfinthful  members,  it  was  threatened  with 
division  and  annihilation.     The  "  British  and  Foreign 
Bible  Society,"  the  "  Anti-slavery  Society,"  and  the 
"Evangelical  Auiance,"    all    had  the  benefit   of  his 
wise  counsel  and  advocacy.     As  a  preacher,  his  ser- 
mons always  overflowed  with  rich  evangelical  senti- 
ments;  his  exposition  of  Scripture  was  clear  and  in- 
structive ;  his  statement  of  doctrine  was  preeminently 
scriptural,  striking,  and  simple,  and  delivered  with  an 
eloquence,  a  pathos,  and  an  effect  that  attracted  multi- 
tudes to  every  place  where  he  officiated.     On  the  mis- 
sionary platform,  his  speeches  told  upon  the  listening 
multitudes,  who  were  thereby  led  cheerfully  to  give  of 
their  substance,  in  order  to  send  the  gospel  of  salvation 
to  the  "  ends  of  the  earth." 

Upon  one  occasion,  when  our  income  was  only  mod- 
erate, he  gave  it  as  his  decided  opinion,  that  the  re- 
sources of  Methodism  were  sufficiently  ample  to  raise 
fifty  thousand  pounds  annually  for  missionary  purposes. 
Some  of  his  best  friends  were  sceptical  on  this  ;  whi.e  to 


ka 


REV.    JOSEPH    TAYLOR. 


259 


nfluence 


>) 


Taylor, 

He  was 

ehension 
linating, 
issionary 
1813,  he 
ig;  but, 
in  all  the 
ititutions 
ling   the 
A^hen,  by 
ned  with 
Foreign 
and  the 
it   of  his 
,  his  ser- 
cal  senti- 
:•  and  in- 
imlnently 
with  an 
3d  multi- 
the  mis- 
listening 
o  give  of 
salvation 

mly  mod- 
it  the  re- 
e  to  raise 
pm'poees. 
;  Vv'hile  to 


those  outside,  the  idea  of  the  Weslovan  Church  raisin o- 
fifty  thousand  per  annum  for  the  mission  fund  was  treated 
with  ridicule,  or  considered  as  only  the  raving  of  a  fanat- 
ic or  a  madman.  But  time  proved  that  his  opinion  was 
correct,  and  that,  from  his  knowledge  of  the  means  and 
minds  of  our  people,  he  reasoned,  a  priori,  what  they 
could  and  would  do,  when  the  wants  of  the  world  were 
made  known  to  them,  and  their  duty  in  the  case  made 
plain  and  clear.  There  was  indeed  a  "  massive  gran- 
deur "  in  Jabez  B  unting,  such  as  does  not  ordinarily  per- 
tain to  mortals  :  he  was  a  "  Prince  in  our  Israel."  He 
died  in  "perfect  peace,"  crying  "Victory,  victory, 
through  the  blood  of  the  Lamb." 

Joseph    Taylor  was   the    first   resident  secretary  at 
the  Mission  House,  Hatton  Garden,  London  ;  to  which 
office  he  was  appointed  by  the  conference  of  1818.     He 
had  been  a  missionary,  and  spent  eight  years  of  his  life 
in  missionary  toil  among  the  negroes  of  the  West  Indies. 
His  talents  were  not  so  splendid  as  those  of  his  col- 
leagues in  the  secretariat ;  but  he  was  a  kind,  a  wise, 
and   holy  man.     To  him  pertained  the  duty  of  class- 
leader  to  the  missionaries  in  London,  before  they  left 
for  their  respective  destinations.     For  the  space  of  four 
months,  the  writer  had  the  privilege  of  meeting  in  his 
missionary  class,  before  he  left  for  his  station  in  New- 
foundland.    Mr.  Taylor  was  most  diligent  and  laborious 
in  his  office,  and  acted  as  a  kind  father  to  the  mission- 
aries, who   loved   him  sincerely.     Afler  six  years  of 
faithful  service  in  the  secretaryship,  he  -went  out  again 
in  the  regular  work,  and  continued  to  labor  until  the 
year  1845,  when,  in  the  sixty-seventh  year  of  his  age, 
he  was  called  to  his  reward.     Just  before  he  died,  he 
exclaimed,  "  I  am  on  the  rock,  and  all  is  right :  I  have 
fought  my  way  through,  and  the  Saviour  is  with  me." 


260         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSION AKTF.S. 


7 


Richard  Watson  was  one  of  the  brightest  ornaments 
that  ever  adorned  tlie  Wesleyan,  or  any  other  church 
in  Christendom-     He  possessed  a  range  and  brilliancy 
of  thought,  with  a  grasp  of  intellectual  powers,  that  sel- 
dom fall  to  the  lot  of  mortals.     *'  To  his  understanding 
belonged  a  capacity  which  tlus  greatness  of  a  subjec' 
could  not  exceed  ;  a  strength  and  clearness  which  num- 
ber and  complexity  of  its  parts  could  not  confuse  ;  and 
a  vigor  which  the  difficulty  and  length  of  an  inquiry  could 
not^weary."     It  was  the  high  privilege  of  the  writer  to 
sit   under   the    ministry  of  this  distingui.lied  man  for 
three  years  ;  and  although  it  is  now  more  thaii  fort;, 
years  aero,  yet  the  recollection  of  him  is  still  clear  and 
vivid.     His  persau  was  tall,  his  countenance  pale,  und 
his  general  appear ah:e  t^.at  of  a  man   in   ill   health. 
When  he  entered  tie  yxuipit,  there  was  a  solemnity  in 
his  manner  that  afflv  ted  the  whole  congregation.     In 
reading  the  Scriptures,  he  was  very  impressive ;  his  style 
of  reading  our  hymns  was  peculiarly  poetic  ;  and  his  fine 
musical  ear  required  that  the  tune  should  be  always  de- 
votional, and   suited   to  the   sentiment   of  the  hymn. 
Upon   one  occasion,  in  Lambeth  Chapel,  London,  he 
gave  out  the  hymn  on  page  251 :  — 

"  A  thousand  oracles  divine, 
Their  common  beams  unite, 
Tiiat  sinners  may  with  angels  join, 
To  worship  God  aright." 

The  choir  struck  up  the  tune  called,  "  Acton,"  in 
Rippon's  collection.  Mr.  Watson  thought  that  tune 
so  unsuitable  to  the  hymn,  that,  at  the  end  of  the  first 
verse,  he  addressed  the  choir  in  these  words,  "  I  never 
did,  and  I  never  will,  suffer  a  Christian  congregatioYi  to 
be  thus  insulted."  He  closed  the  hymn-book,  enga-ro 
hi  prayer,  and  dismisses  -lie  congregation. 


s. 


REV.    RICHARD   WATSON. 


261 


rnainenta 
!r  church 
brilHancy 
,  that  sel- 
rstanding 
a  subject 
lich  nuir," 
fuse  ;  an(! 
liry  could 
writer  to 

man  for 
han  fbrt\ 
cleur  and 
pale,  und 
11  health, 
emnity  in 
ition.     In 

;  his  st  vie 
id  his  fine 
ilways  de- 
he  hymn, 
ondon,  he 


») 


Icton,  '  in 
that  tune 
of  the  first 
,  "  I  never 
recatioh  to 
k,  enga;;red 


In  the  pulpit,  he  stood  erect, almost  like  a  statue:  his 
action  seldom  went  beyond  a  slight  motion  of  the  rio-ht 
hand,  or  a  significant  shake  of  the  head.     The  subjects 
on  which  he  delighted  to  dwell  were  the  depravity  of 
man,  the  divinity  of  Christ,  the  great  atonement,  vvith 
the  extent   and  freedom  of  the  gospel  salvation.     To 
the  explanation  and  elucidation  of  these  great  subjects, 
would  he  bring  all  the  vast  powers  of  his  master  mind. 
Having  given  the  sense  of  his  text  with  his  usual  criti- 
cal acumen,  by  which  the  most  familiar  topics  of  theol- 
ogy would  often  appear  in  a  new  light,  or  be  clothed 
with  fresh  interest,  in  the  pure  emanation  of  his  soul, 
he  would  soar  to  themes  lofty  and  sublime ;  grasp  in  the 
range  of  his  thought  the  whole  scheme  of  human  re- 
demption ;  scan  the  attributes  of  Deity  vvith  a  mind  al- 
most superhuman  ;  or  seem  to  fatliom  the  joys  of  the 
hymning  multitude  before  the  throne  of  God. 

As  a  writer,  no  man  since  the  days  of  John  Wesley 
has  done  the  Wesleyan  Church  greater  service  than 
Richard  Watson.  In  the  infancy  of  our  missionary  ex- 
istence, 1816,  Mr.  Barham,  M.  P.  for  Stockbridge,  in 
the  House  of  Commons,  attacked  the  Methodist  mis- 
sionaries in  the  West  Indies,  and  said,  that,  "  under  a 
mask  of  religion,  they  inculcated  principles  of  sedition." 
This  produced  from  the  pen  of  Mr.  Watson,  "  A  De- 
fence OF  THE  Wesleyan  Methodist  Missions  in  the 
West  Indies."  This  silenced  the  slanderer,  and 
brought  a  compliment  from  his  Majestj^'s  Government, 
through  Lord  Castlereagh,  to  the  effect,  "  That  there 
lay  no  charge  whatever  against  the  missionaries  who 
had  been  slandered  so  harshly  by  name."  In  1819,  Mr. 
Watson  wrote  "  The  Instructions  to  the  Wesleyan 
Missionaries,"  a  copy  of  which  now  lies  before  the, 
writer,  which  he  received  at  his  ordination,  and  which 


iiBii 


il  I, 


'1 


262         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 

bears  the  autograph  signatures  of  Jabez  Bunting,  Jo- 
seph Taylor,  and  Richard  Watson. 

These  Instructions  did  the  writer  often  peruse  with 
much  profit  while  on  the  Newfoundland  mission.  In 
1820,  Mr.  Watson  published  his  "  Observations  on 
Southey's  Life  of  Wesley." 

The  Wesleyan  Catechisms  are  the  production  of  his 
pen,  by  which  our  children  are  in  early  years  taught 
the  principles  of  a  sound  theology,  and  are  made  thor- 
oughly acquainted  with  all  the  leading  facts  of  the  Bible. 
His  "  Conversations  for  the  Young  "  amuse  and  instruct 
our  youth  ;  while  his  Theological  Institutes  and  his 
Theological  Dictionary  supply  our  church  with  a  body 
of  divinity,  which,  for  scriptural  accuracy,  distinctness 
of  thought,  and  elevation  of  style,  is  unsurpassed  by  any 
theological  writings  the  Christian  Church  has  ever  pro- 
duced since  the  days  of  the  apostles. 

We  shall  close  this  sketch  by  the  following  quota- 
tion from  the  minutes  of  the  British  Conference  for 
1833 :  — 

"  In  his  last  affliction,  he  was  greatly  honored  of  God ;  and  per- 
haps the  closing  scene  of  no  saint's  life  ever  furnished  lessons  of 
richer  instruction.     On  the  approach  of  death,  he  viewed  it  as  a 
foe,  and  felt  it  to  be  an  evil ;  he  was  humbled  that  a  man  should 
be  'stricken  and  trampled  into  the  grave  by  the  last  enemy,  and 
when,  as  in  his  own  case,  his  faculties  were  in  their  pnme,  and  his 
mind  meditating  and  revolving  plans  of  usefulness  to  the  world. 
It  was  the  glorious  hope  and  Christian  assurance  of  perfect  bliss  af- 
ter death  and  beyond  the  grave  that  enabled  him  to  tnumph; 
and  his  triumph  was   complete.     Through  the  grace  of  his  Divine 
Saviour,  with  his  characteristic  strength  of  mind,  he  grasped  and 
applied  his  Christian  principles ;  and  they  sustained  his  faith  in  his 
walk  through  '  the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death.'    '  I  am  a  poor 
vile  worm,'  said  he  ; '  but  then  the  worm  is  permitted  to  crawl  out 


of  the  earth  into  the  garden 


of  the  Lord.' 


REV.    GEORGE    MORLEY.  268 

'I  shall  behold  his  face, 

I  shall  his  power  adore ; 
And  sing  the  wonders  of  his  grace 
For  evermore.' 

"  Thus  confident,  he  waited  until  his  Master's  call  spoke  him  up 
to  heaven.  As  a  man,  he  was  of  a  noble  mind,  superior  throujrh 
life  to  everything  mean  and  little ;  he  was  magnanimous,  disi"!- 
terested,  generous.  .His  form  was  dignified,  and  his  countenance 
bore  striking  expressions  of  his  intellectual  greatness.  His  ele- 
vated views,  and  the  majesty  of  his  character,  impressed  a  dignity 
on  his  manners  which  the  kindness  of  his  temper,  and  his  general 
readiness  to  oblige,  rendered  particularly  easy  and  graceful.  As 
a  friend,  he  extorted  no  servile  homage  as  the  price  of  his  friend- 
ship. If  there  were  times  when  he  was  too  much  engaged  in 
thought  to  exhibit  more  than  common  fervor  of  afTection^ there 
were  others,  which  occurred  far  more  frequently,  when  he  gave 
himself  freely  to  his  friends,  and  then  his  conversation  never 
failed  to  instruct  and  charm.  This  bright  luminary  of  the  church 
and  of  his  circle  set  in  death,  to  rise  in  glory,  January  8th,  1833. 
He  died  in  the  fifty-second  year  of  his  age." 

In  the  year  1824,  a  change  took  place  in  our  mission- 
ary secretaries.  Mr.  Bunting  removed  to  the  Man- 
chester South  Circuit,  and  Mr.  Taylor,  having  served 
his  term,  also  retired  from  his  onerous  position  of  resi- 
dent secretary.  Our  missionary  secretaries  now  were 
George  Morley,  Ricliard  Watson,  and  John  Mason. 
All  these  excellent  men  are  now  recorded  on  our  death- 
roll.  While  they  lived,  they  not  only  performed  the 
various  duties  incumbent  upon  them  as  Christian 
ministers  with  great  faithfulness  and  zeal,  but  they 
also,  in  other  ways,  labored  hard  for  the  benefit  of  their 
fellow-men,  and  particularly  for  the  spread  of  Scriptural 
knowledge,  and  the  extension  of  missions  over  every 
part  of  the  world. 
^  -  George  Morley.  The  name  of  this  excellent  min- 
ister will  be  recorded  in  the  annals  of  Methodism,  as 
long  as  time  shall  last,  as  the  originator  of  a  movement 
which  led  to  the  formation  of  the  present  financial  plan 


1 


264 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


of  our  missions,  by  which  they  have  become  so  wide- 
spread in  their  influence,  and  so  vastly   beneficial  in 
their  resuhs.      He  liad  been  on  terms  of  intimacy  with 
Dr.  Coke,  and  had  seen  how  that  apostohc  man  had  la- 
bored and  bejiged  from  door  to  door  to  obtain  m^^ans 
for  the  support  of  missionaries  i'^  foreign  hinds;   but  in 
the  year  1813,  the  doctor  ftn'l  i  .■'  l''''e" missionary  band 
were  appointed  to  India  ;  vhen    Mr.    Morley  saw  tlmt 
something  more  must  be  done  by  the  connection  for 
the  mission  cause  than  had  yet  been  done,  or  it  would 
dwindle  and  die.     He  was  then  superint'^-- '  •  '  of  the 
Leeds  Circuit;   and  his  colleagues  were  Jabez  Bunting 
and  Robert  Filter,     In  Wakefield,  an  adjacent  circuit, 
were  found  two  kindred  spirits,  in  James  Buckley  and 
Richard  Watson.     These   brethren,  after  much   con- 
sultation and  p  ayer,  appointed  Mr.  Buckley  to  preach 
the  first  missionary  sermon  in  the"  village  of  Armley  ; 
and  Mr.  Bunting  having  prepared  the  plan,  the  first 
public  Methodist  missionary  meeting  was  held  in  the 
old   chapel   at     Leeds,   in    the   afternoon  of  October 
6th,  1813.    Thomas  Thompson,  Esq.,  M.  P.,  a  most  ac- 
ceptable  local   preacher,  presided   upon  the   occasion. 
Though  the  plan  was  matured  by  Mr.  Bunting,  yet  it 
was  Mr.   Morley  that  sug;j;ested  the  idea  of  emplo_,    sg 
collectors  to  raise  weekly,  monthly,  quarterly,  and  an- 
nual subscriptions,  in  aid  c"  Methodist  r   ssions.     Five 
years  after  the  formation  ot   the  Leeds  IVlissionary  Soci- 
ety,  which  was  the  year  1818,  Mr.  Morley  was  ap- 
pointed to  the  London  West  Circuit,  when  rhe  writer  of 
this  article  had  the  pleasure  of  having  him  as  his  super- 
intendent; and  he  records  with  thankfuiness,  that  to 
the  judicious  counsels  and  fatherly  i     tr'    tions  of  tlu 
Rev.  George  Moi  ley,  he  owes  his  pr«     nt  |>«j8ition  in  the 
Wesleya;:  connection.     He  was  resident  secretary  for 
our  mission,  six  years;  and  those  of  us  who  had  the 


REV.    JOHN    MASON. 


265 


honor  of  his  correspondence  were  alway  encoiirao-ed 
by  his  letters  and  instructed  by  his  adv  He   ex- 

changed mortah'ty  for  life  on  the  10th  ot  September, 
1843.  A  little  while  before  he  died,  lie  said,  with 
great  emphasis,  "  I  gave  myself  to  God  and  to  God's 
people  threescore  years  ago,  and  he  has  never  left  mo. 
He  is  with  me  now,  and  he  will  never  leave  nor  forsake 
me."  The  minutes  of  conference  say  of  him,  "  His 
life  was  one  of  perp  3tual  sunshine.  He  was  emphati- 
cally a  happy  man;  and  his  end  perfectly  accorded 
with  the  tenor  of  his  life." 

John  Mason  was  the  junior  missionary  secretary, 
which  situation  he  filled  with  kindness  to  the  missiona- 
ries for  three  years,  when  he  wa^  called  to  the  impor- 
tant and  responsible  office  of  book-st'  ard.  He  con- 
tinued in  that  office  for  thirty-seven  years,  during 
which  time  ho  circulutod  an  immense  amount  of  Chris° 
tian  literature,  from  whence  large  profits  were  derived  ; 
wliich  profits  were  appropriated  to  the  support  of  aged 
and  worn-uit  ministers,  and  ministers'  widows.  From 
SIX  to  ten  tons  of  books  would  sometimes  be  sent  from 
th.  book-room  in  one  month.  Mr.  Mason  died  in 
peace  on  the  ^-.t  of  March,  1864,  in  the  eighty-second 
year  of  his  .^e,  an^     ^ty-  hird  of  his  ministry. 

The  first  official  cncul-,  bearing  the  signatures  of 
the  before-naired  secretaries,  reached  the  writer  in  the 
m  nth  of  October,  1824.  He  was  then  stationed  in 
Portde  Grnve.  We  shall  quote  e  last  paragraph 
from  this  circular,  which  shows  the  Jeep  anxiety  the 
committee  felt  that  their  missionaries  aould  all  be  i.ble 
ministers  of  the  New  Testament.     It  reads  :  — - 

'  Study  to  be  '  workmen  who  need  not  to  be  ashamed.'  By 
careful  reading,  increase  your  knowledge  of  the  Scrlptur.    :  dis- 


I 


266 


NEWrOITNDT-AND    AND  ITS   MISSION  ARIES. 


m 


tribute  the  truths  they  contain  with  plainness  of  speech,  with  cat- 
nestncsH,  and  aflectionate  leflinf?.  lie  who  makes  preachinp  a 
mere  dechiniation  from  a  text  of  Scripture  will  often  be  barren 
in  himself,  and  unprofitable  to  others;  but  ho  who  feels  that  it  is 
his  business  to  display  the  truth  of  (iod  in  his  discourses,  and  who 
confirms  and  illustrates  what  he  advocates  by  well-chosen  and 
clearly-explained  texts,  will  find  his  preachiiij?  salutary  to  his  own 
heart,  and  it  will  give  spirit  and  life  to  others.  '  Let  the  word  of 
God  then  dwell  in  you  richly ;  and  from  that  fulness  you  will  bo 
able  to  minister  to  the  wants  of  oth^ 's.'" 

The  kind  and  style  of  preaching  recommended  by 
our  secretaries  can  never  fail  of  doing  good  ;  and  it  may 
be  inferred,  as  a  general  thing,  that  Methodist  mission- 
aries in  different  i.<irts  of  the  world  adhere  to  these 
instructions,  which  is  the  grand  secret  of  their  success 
in  their  respective  stations. 

The  paucity  of  schools,  and  in  consequence  the  great 
ignorance  that  prevailed  among  the  people,  was  a  mat- 
ter of  much  concern  and  anxiety  to  the  early  mission- 
aries in  Newfoundland. 

Alone:  the  whole  north  shore,  where  there  were  some 
thousands  of  inhabitants,  there  was  not  a  school  of  any 
kind,  except  our  Sabbath  schools  ;  and  while  the  peojjle 
would  willingly  have  paid  for  the  education  of  their 
children,  yet  no  competent  teacher  could  then  be  found. 
To  select  Black  Head  as  an  example:  down  as  late  as 
the  year  1820,  there  never  had  been  a  day-school  in 
that  large  and  interesting  community. 

Mr.  Walsh,  who  was  then  stationed  on  the  Black- 
Head  Circuit,  brought  this  prominently  before  the  mis- 
sionary committee,  in  a  letter  dated  Black  Head,  Oct.  20, 
1819.  From  this  letter  we  make  the  following  extract : — 

"  Only  a  few  in  my  circuit  are  able  to  read  the  Word  of  God. 
It  often  draws  from  my  heart  a  sigh  of  pity,  when  I  look  round  me 
from  the  pulpit,  and  see  so  many  of  them  unable  to  take  up  a  hymn 


NEED   OP   SCHOOLS. 


267 


or  prayer  book,  to  joi..  In  the  worship  of  Hod.     If  ^ou  consider  the 
ciroum3ta..t.es  in  whi.h  these  people  are  placed,  you  «ill  with  me 
conclude,  that  this  want  of  common  learning  does  not  arise  from 
mcapacity,  but  from  destitution  of  means  and  opportunity.     If  I 
am  rinrhtly  informed,  there  never  was  one  person  or  place  wholly 
devoted  to  the  instruction  of  the  rising  generation  in  this  circuit. 
I.,  no  place,  I  think,  could  a  miMsion  day-school  be  established 
with  greal.T  probability  of  success  than  at  this  station.     Had  we 
a  pious  young  man,  with  moderate  abilities,  fixed  here  as  a  school- 
master,  under  the  superintendence  of  the  missionary,  I  have  no 
doubt  a  hundred  children  would  bo  immediately  collected,  and 
the.r  parents  would  contribute  gladly  to  the  support  of  such  a 
master.     Ijut  in  this  country  such  a  person  is  not  to  be  found. 
Could  you  provide  this  station  with  a  person  who  would  en-a.re 
to  mstruct  these  dear  children  to  read  the  Word  of  Life  %ou 
would  bestow  upon  them  the  next  great  favor  to  those  you 'have 
already  bestowed,  in  giving  them  the  word  and  ministry  of  recon- 
cihatiju." 

However  mucli  the  missionary  committee  might  wish 
to  send  a  staff  of  school-masters  to  Newfoundland,  such 
an  appropriation  -^  their  funds  would  scarcely  have 
been  compatible  .,,th  their  object,  which  wns  simply  to 
supply  the  country  with  an  evangelical  ministry.  Be- 
side which,  the  report  for  1821  showed  an  excess  of 
expenditure  above  the  income  of  £7568  5«.  lOd. 

For  manv  years  had  the  establishment  of  day-schools 
in  differei  r  parts  of  the  land  been  a  great  desideratum, 
both  with  the  missionaries  and  also  with  the  more  in- 
telligent among  their  congregations  ;  and,  in  the  year 
1823,  it  was  for  a  time  thought  their  views  would  be 
met,  and  their  expectations  fully  realizecl,  by  the  institu- 
tion of  the  Newfoundland  School  SocTety. 

Some  of  the  agents  of  this  society  claimed  for  it  a 
hbeiai  and  evangelical  character  ;  and  while  it  was  said 
the  master*  were  expected  to  be  members  of  the  Church 

of   EuLdand-    VPt    tbn    W/.clo,rr,rsc     w'--    -i"^-,-    f!  1 

c        '  V  --    —    '•  •■-•••- jrciiii,  Wiiu  V, ci'i;  the   only 


268         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


li 


nonconformist  body  on  the  island,   would  have  equal 
rights  with  their  Episcopalian  neighbors  in  all  matters 
appertaining  to  the  school.    Several  of  the  missionaries, 
in  consequence,  took  deep  interest  in  these  schools  ;  and 
our  committee  paid  twenty  pounds  a  year,  for  several 
years,  toward  their  funds.     Schools  were  soon  estab- 
lished in  St.  Johns,  Harbor  Grace,  Trinity,  Bonavista, 
and  other  places,  in  which  our  people  heartily  united. 
But  in  time  it  changed  its  name,  and  took  the  title  of 
the  Church-of-England  School  Scjciety  for  Newfound- 
land and  the  Colonies.     Our  people  from  henceforth 
were  debarred  all  management  or  control  in  the  schools, 
which  now  became  decidedly  CImrch-of-England  schools. 
Persecution,  also,  was  not  quite  kept  out  of  the  way 
in  the  matter.     In  the  Northern  Harbor,  when  prepa- 
rations were  being  made  for  the  erection  of  a  school- 
bouse,  some  things  not  appearing  quite  clear,  as  to  the 
management  of  the  school  when  it  should  commence 
operations,  one  of  the  merchants  said  to  the  writer,  "If 
Mrs.  A.  and  Mr.  B.  and  I  were  determined,  we  could 
make  the  people  'build  the  school /or  we  have  them  com- 
pletely under  us.     I  could  therefore  go  to  a  family  man 
and  say,  '  Go,  and  haul  me  a  stick  for  the  school ; '  and  I 
could  order  others  who  were  handy  to  go  to  work  in 
putting  up  the  building.     They  dare  not  refuse  us  ;  and 
they  would  say, '  We  must  go,  or  he  will  not  let  us  have 
a  half  gallon  of  molasses  when  we  want  it.'  "     Tlie 
magistrate  in  the  same  place  went  much  fiU'ther  than 
our  merchants,  for  he  considered  he  had  the  power  in 
himself  to  tax  the  people  for  the  scliool-iiouse ;  and,  in 
his  pro  rata  tax,  he  sent  to  a  poor  Roman  Catliolic  man, 
and  threatened  to  put  him  in  jail  if  he  did  not  pay  ten 
shillings  toward  this  school ;  and  it  was  only  when  the 
writer  informed  the  magistrate  that  he  would  lay  the 


■f  ? 


GREAT   REVIVAL. 


269 


whole  matter  before  the  government,  that  he  gave  up 
his  arbitrary  proceedings. 

This  society  is  now  professedly  a  Church-of-England 
institution,  and  we  cheerfully  yield  its  meed  of  praise. 
It  has  established  schools  in  many  destitute  parts  of  the 
island ;  it  has  taught  many  thousands  to  read,  who, 
but  for  it,  would  have  been  brought  up  in  entire  igno- 
rance ;  it  has  circulated  Bibles,  prayer-books,  religious 
tracts,  and  other  books  of  moral  and  religious  tendency  ; 
and  its  teachers,  beside  attending  to  their  duties  in 
schools,  have  visited  the  sick  and  the  dying,  and  have 
done  much  good  among  the  people.  In  the  year  1849, 
it  reported  40  schools  and  2,734  scholars.  It  had  also 
extended  its  operations  into  Canada.  Its  receipts  for 
that  year  were  £1937  14^. 

Near  the  close  of  the  year  1819,  and  at  the  com- 
mencement of  1820,  there  was  a  great  revival  in  the 
''  Island  Cove  and  Perlican  Circuit,"  under  the  min- 
istry of  the  Rev.  James  Hickson.  We  will  give  a  few 
extracts  from  the  journal  of  ihk  excellent  missionary, 
as  published  in  the  Methodist  Magazine  for  1820 :  -— 

•'Dec.  27th.  We  had  a  powerful  season  in  the  men's  class: 
two  received  the  blessing  of  pardon,  and  many  others  went  away 
pleading  for  mercy.  We  in  the  kingdom  of  grace,  and  angels  in 
tlie  kingdom  of  glory,  gladly  sing,  '  The  dead's  alive  ;  the  lost 
is  found.'  .We  have  many  in  this  society  (Old  Perlican),  but  few 
had  received  the  '  spirit  of  adoption.'  The  danger  of-livmg  and 
dying  without  the  Spirit's  witness  urged  me  to  fkst,  and  ardently 
to  pray  for  the  baptism  of  the  Spirit.  Glory  be  to  God,  to-night 
I  had  an  answer  of  prayer. 

"  30th.  This  night,  two  females  were  born  of  the  Spirit.  It 
was  the  first  time  of  their  meeting  in  our  society,  ^ly  soul  had  a 
new  baptism  of  the  Spirit,  and  seemed  as  if  it  would  have  left  the 
body,  while  agonizing  for  the  mourners  in  Zion.  I  felt  more  than 
ever  the  truth  of  that  saying,  *  God  is  love.' 

"  Jan.  3d,  iS20.     Found  much  joy  in  visiting  different  families, 


L*tfr 


270 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


-Ail ; 


iiii 


■ii. 


but  the  greatest  in  meeting  one  of  the  classes.  There  was,  indeed, 
a  shaking  among  the  '  dry  bones.'  Many  were  crying,  irom  the 
very  bitterness  of  their  souls,  '  Thou  Son  of  David,  have  mercy  on 
me.'  And  after  continuing  long  in  prayer,  the  Lord  bound  up 
four  broken  hearts. 

"  Sabbath,  9th.  Island  Cove.  Preached  twice ;  but  the  power  of 
God  was  most  evident  at  night,  in  the  prayer-meeting.  Many 
wept  aloud.  On  Monday  night,  in  the  men's  class,  we  had  one 
more  in  number.  I  pressed  them  more  especially  now,  not  to 
rest  without  a  clear  sense  of  the  pardoning  love  of  God ;  and  it 
was  not  in  vain,  for  the  hearts  of  many  were  broken,  and  they 
cried  bitterly  for  mercy.  We  remained  with  them  in  prayer  for 
some  time.  The  next  night  many  were  pricked  in  the  heart.  In 
the  class,  on  Thursday,  there  was  one  much  tempted  of  Satan,  and 
did  not  find  deliverance ;  but  God  sent  his  Spirit  into  the  heart  of 
another,  crying,  '  Abba,  Father.'  The  day  following,  we  had  an 
increase  of  another  member  and  another  believer. 

"  Sabbath,  30th.  Old  Perlican.  Had  much  divine  help,  in 
preaching  three  times  to  this  people.  I  had  a  seal  to  my  minis- 
try, a  soul  for  my  hire,  while  crying,  '  Agree  with  thine  adversary 
quickly.'  He  was  seventy  years  old,  and  had  been  thirty  years  a 
member  of  the  Methodist  Society.  He  was  always  strictly  moral, 
but  an  utter  stranger  to  experimental  godliness,  till  one  and  another 
were  enabled  to  stand  forth  as  witnesses  that  God  has  power  on 
earth  to  forgive  sins.  This  shook  his  sandy  foundation :  he  had 
read  his  Bible  much,  and  satisfied  himself  with  that.  But  now  it 
became  to  him  as  a  two-edged  sword  :  his  castles  in  the  air  were 
all  destroyed,  and  he  had  no  refuge  but  Christ.  Now  Jesus  filled 
his  heart  witli  joy,  and  he  published  it  to  all  around.  He  became 
an  '  epistle,  read  and  known  of  all  men.'  There  is  a  danger  of 
our  societies  consisting  of  merely  moral  but  unconverted  charac- 
ters. Hence  it  becomes  necessary,  even  among  our  own  people, 
to  '  cry  aloud  and  spare  not ; '  for  our  mission  is  not  to  make  '  al- 
most Christian,'  but  Christians  altogether." 

This  revival  continued  for  more  than  two  months, 
during  which  time  every  part  of  the  circuit  was  visited 
with  this  gracious  influence.  In  Hants  Harbor  alone, 
near  fifty  souls  were  brought  to  God  in  about  a  fort- 
night.     On  this  Mr.  Hickson  wntes  :  — - 


REV.    ADAM    NIGHTINGALE. 


271 


s,  indeed, 
from  the 
mercy  on 
jouad  up 

power  of 
;.  Many 
had  one 
w,  not  to 
d;  and  it 
and  they 
Drayer  for 
leart.  In 
iatan,  and 
3  heart  of 
6  had  au 

)  help,  in 
my  minis- 
adversary 
ty  years  a 
tly  moral, 
id  another 

power  on 
i:  he  had 
3ut  now  it 
)  air  were 
Fesus  filled 
le  became 
danger  of 
ed  charac- 
ivn  people, 

make  '  al- 


months, 
as  visited 
»or  alone, 
at  a  fort- 


"  Wednesday,  Feb.  23.  '  What  hath  God  wrought.  When  I 
came  to  this  place  on  the  9th,  the  number  in  society  was  forty ; 
now  it  is  ninety,  seventy  of  whom  enjov  the  pardoning  love  of 
God." 

It  was  the  happiness  of  the  writer  to  follow  brother 
James  Hickson  in  that  circuit,  the  very  next  year 
(1821)  ;  and,  were  it  necessary,  he  would  bear  his 
humble  testimony  to  the  reality  and  extent  of  that 
great  revival. 

In  the  minutes  for  1823,  the  stations  for  the  New- 
foundland District  stand  thus :  — 

St.  Johns  —  John  Walsh. 

Caubonear  —  Thomas  Hickson. 

Harbor  Grace— John  Pickavant. 

Black  Head  and  Western  Bay— Ninian  Barr. 

Island  Cove  and  Perlican  —  Adam  Nightingale. 

Port  de  Grave  —  Richard  Knight. 

Bona  VISTA  and  Catalina  —  James  Hickson. 

Trinity  Harbor— John  Boyd. 

Grand  Bank  and  Fortune  Bay  — William  WUson. 

Burin  —  William  Ellis. 

Brigus  — John  Haigh. 

Brother  Nightingale  has  now  (1864)  spent  forty- 
two  years  on  the  Newfoundland  mission,  which  in- 
cludes the  whole  of  liis  missionary  hfe.  He  has 
"borne  the  burden  and  heat  of  the  day;"  he  has 
travelled  its  wastes  and  its  wilderness  when  horses 
were  not  used,  and  when  roads  were  unknown;  he 
has  had  to  ford  its  streams,  and  drag  his  weary  limbs 
over  its  extensive  marshes ;  to  take  his  refreshment  by 
the  purling  brook  in  the  dark  woods,  or  untie  his 
nimny-bag  on  its  bleak  and  snow-clad  barrens;  and 
more  than  once  has  he  made  his  bed  on  the  snow,  and 
there  passed  a  long  and  dreary  night  in  the  midst  of  a 


'k 


i 


I 


272         NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

Newfoundland  wint-r.     He  has  seen  that  country  as 
a  Crown  cohmy ;  and  he  has  seen  it  with  its  halls  of 
leo-islature :    he  remembers  the  formation   of    its  first 
road ;  and  he  has  seen  it  with  its  macadamized  high- 
ways, its  studs  of  horses,  and  its  beautiful  carriages ; 
with  steamboats,  not  only  for  local  travelling,  but  also 
for  communication  with  other  colonies  and  with  Eu- 
rope :  he  has  seen  its  rocky  potato-garden  by  the  sea- 
side, as  the  sole  token  of  agriculture  in  a  community ; 
and  he  has  seen  its  cultivated  acres  bowing  their  golden 
plumes  to  the  passing  stranger,  and  yielding  their  fari- 
naceous substance  as  food  for  man  and  for  beast :  he 
has  seen  its  communities  without  education,  and  their 
children  without  schools  ;  and  he  has  seen  the  "  school- 
master  abroad,"  academies  founded,  the  children  in- 
structed, the  people  rescued  from  ignorance,  and  their 
minds  imbued  with  knowledge,  religious,  scientific,  and 
general;  and,  above  all,  he  has  seen         iy  souls  con- 
verted to  God,  and  Methodism  increase  from  9Y3,  the 
number  of  its  members  when  he  landed  on  its  shores, 
to  3231,  the  number  as  returned  at  the  conference  of 
1863.     After  being  engaged  in  the  active  work  for 
thirty-seven  yeai's,  he  sat  down  as  a  supernumerary  in 
the  year  1859 ;  and  he  still  lives,  and  labors  occasion- 
ally.    May  God  bless  that  dear  brother  in  his  old  age, 
and  may  his  end  be  perfect  peace. 

John  Boyd  labored  in  Newfoundland  from  1822  to 
1831,  when  he  returned  to  England ;  and,  in  the  year 
1863,  he  was  still  in  the  active  work.  His  station  then 
was  Glossop,  in  the  Manchester  and  Bolton  District. 


CHAPTER   X. 


SEALS  AND  THE  SEAL-FISHERY  —  VARIETIES  OF  THE  SEAL  —  OUTFIT  OF 
THK  SEALERS  — RELIGIOUS  8EUV1CKS  —  ANECDOTE  —  METHOD  OF 
TAKING  SEALS —  SABBATH-BREAKING  AT  THE  ICE  —  RETURN  OF  VES- 
SELS —  NUMBER  OK  SEALS  TAKEN  —  NUMBER  OK  VKSSELS  EMPLOYED 
—  SIZE  AND  CHARACTER  OF  SEALING-VESSELS. 


SEALS    AND   THE    SEAL-FISHERY. 

THREE  species  of  seal  are  found  upon  the  Newfound- 
land coast,  —  the  square  iiipper,  the  hood,  and  the 
hai'p.  The  square  flipper  is  said  to  be  identical  with 
the  great  Greenland  seal.  This  animal  sometimes  at- 
tains a  length  of  sixteen  or  eighteen  feet :  it,  however, 
is  but  seldom  seen,  and  must  be  shot  before  captured. 
The  hood  is  met  with  much  more  frequently,  and  is 
called  the  hood  from  a  large  piece  of  loose  skin  on  the 
head,  which  it  can  inflate  at  pleasure.  But  it  should  be 
stated  that  the  male  seal  only  has  the  hood.  The  fe- 
male has  no  sucli  appendage.  This  seal  is  not  so  large 
as  the  square  flipper  ;  nevertheless,  it  is  often  found 
twelve  or  fourteen  feet  in  length.  The  young  hoods 
are  called  blue-backs.  They  are  found  far  to  the  north, 
and  generally  near  the  outer  edge  of  the  ice.  The 
male  and  female  are  mostly  found  together,  and  the  ob- 
ject of  the  hunters  is  to  kill  the  dog-seal  fiist ;  if  they 
succeed,  the  female  is  easily  killed  ;  but,  if  she  should  be 
first  killed,  the  dog  becomes  furious.  He  instantly  in- 
flates his  hood,  whicli  covers  Lis  face  ;  his  nostrils  be- 
come distended  like  bladders;  his  whole  appearance  is 

(273; 


-.■-|,^-j-.-t--.^.H.--r'-"y 


11 


274         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 

terrific  and  he  rushes  on  his  assailants  with  great  im- 
petuosity.     To  strike  him  on  the  hood  is  useless,  and 
he  will  snap  the  gaffs  in  the  men's  hands,  and  break 
them  as  though  they  were  cabbage-stumps.     A  blow  on 
the  nose  will  kill  the  seal ;  but,  if  that  fails,  it  is  most 
tenacious  of  life,  and,  unless  the  heart  can  be  reached 
with  a  musket-ball,  it  can  scarcely  be  slain.      Instances 
have  occurred  where    the  hunter   has  been   seriously 
wounded,  and   even  killed,   by  an  old  hood.     I  once 
heard  an  old  seal-hunter  give  a  graphic  account  of  an 
encounter  he  and   a   friend   had   with    an   old   hood. 
There  were  only  two  men  in  company  ;  they  came  un 
with  a  pair  of  hoods,  and  imprudently  killed  the  female. 
The  doer-seal  inflated  his  hood,  and  attacked  them  with 
tremendous  fury.    Escape  was  impossible  ;  so  they  stood 
striking  him  with  their  gaffs  until  they  both  became  ex- 
hausted.    At  length  one  of  them  said,  we  must  make  a 
desperate  effort,  or  we  shall  both  be  killed.     Keep  him 
in  abeyance  as  well  as  you  can,  and  I  will  make  the 
effort.     He  then  opened  his  jack-knife,  rushed  upon  the 
furious  animal,  and  stuck  the  knife  into  the  hood,  when 
the  air  instantly  escaped,  and  a  blow  from  the  gaff  of 
his  friend  felled  the  monster  on  the  ice. 

The  seal  most  frequent  upon  the  coast  is  the  harp, 
sometimes  called  the  half-moon.  It  receives  the  name 
harp  from  a  large  black  or  dark  spot  on  the  back  of  the 
olc!  uoo--seal :  but  the  female  has  no  such  mark.  This 
seal,  when  very  young,  is  called  a  white-coat ;  when  one 
year  old,  it  is  a  bedlamer;  afterward,  a  harp.  The 
northern  seas,  between  Labrador  and  Greenland,  is 
the  home  of  the  harp. 

In  the  month  of  February,  tne  field-ice  froiij  these 
seas  comes  in  immense  masses  upon  the  north-east  coast 
of  Newfoundland.     Some  days  before  the  ice  is  actually 


THE    SEAL-FISHERY. 


275 


seen,  its  approach  can  be  descried  from  the  shore  by 
its  glim,  or  the  reflection  of  liglit  wliich  it  throws  into 
the  atmosphere  when  the  night  is  darlc.  Upon  this  ice, 
the  harps  wlielp,  and  the  dams  seem  all  to  whelp  about 
the  same  time,  as  millions  of  white-coats  are  found 
upon  the  ice,  and  all  about  the  same  age.  From  the 
twentieth  to  the  last  of  February  is  the  whelping  time  ; 
and  the  ice  about  that  time  is  generally  in  the  drift  of 
White  Bay,  or  the  Bay  of  Exploits. 

The  young   cubs   are  called  "  white-coats,"  because 
they  are  covered  with  a  white  fur,  slightly  tinged  with 
yellow.     The  appearance  of  the  "  white-ioats  "  on  the 
ice  has  not  inaptly  been  compared  to  young  lambs  in  a 
meadow ;  but  they  are  far  more  numerous,  as  tens  of 
thousands  of  them  may  be  seen  in  every  direction,  bask- 
ing m  the  sun's  rays.     The  seal  is  called  the  sea-doo-, 
because  it  barks  and  howls  like  a  dog.       Sometimes 
these  young  "  white-coats,"  when  weakly,  will  be  found 
frozen  in  the  ice,  when  the  hunters  call  them  "  cats." 
The  skins  of  these  "  cats  "  are  not  good  as  an  article 
of  merchandise ;  but  they  arc  br.aght  home  to  make 
caps  for  the  next  sealing-voyage.       The  young  seals 
grgw  very  rapidly,  and    in    about  three  weeks   their 
white  coat  changes,  and  a  darker  fur  comes  k.  5ts  place  ; 
after  which  they  take  the  water  with  their  pa>e.  t,  and 
are  more  difficult  to  catch. 

hi  the  commencement  of  the  seal-fishery,  large  boats 
were  used,  which  did  not  sail  until  about  the  middle  of 
Apnl.  But  the  whelping  ice  had  passed  many  weeks 
before  this,  so  that  no  young  seals  could  be  found:  their 
catch  was  therefore  necessarily  small,  and  mostly  con- 
fined to  the  stray  seals,  called  "  rangers,"  whicli  were 
shot  in  the  water.     The  boat-sealing  continued  down 

as  mfft  He  flip  TT/io..  1  TOC     U--    ->!  i      i  .         -  . 

,,tj  ^(.«i  ii  jc,  vviifcsn  tue  wnoie  catch  of  seals 


its' 


Ik 

iM  1 


276         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

for  the  island  was  4,900  ;  not  as  many  as  is  now  taken 
sometimes  by  a  single  vessel. 

In  the  commencement  of  the  present  century,  the 
sealing-boats  gave  way  to  small  schooners  of  some  thir- 
ty to  fifty  tons'  burden  ;  and  they  sailed  about  the  twen- 
ty-first of  March.  They  sailed  thus  late  to  avoid  the 
equinoctial  gales,  or,  as  the  saying  was,  "  We  wait  until 
after  Saint  Patrick's  brush  ; "  or  until  "Saint  Patrick 
takes  the  cold  stone  out  of  the  water."  But  this 
was  too  late  to  get  the  young  seals ;  yet,  as  they  would 
meet  with  some  ice  at  that  time,  the  catch  was  greatly 
increased.  Thus,  in  the  year  1820,  the  catch  was 
increased  to  221,334. 

The  seal-fishery  was  destined  to  be  one  great  source 
of  wealth  to  the  country,  and  to  assume  proportions 
which  the  most  sanguine  could  never  have  anticipated ; 
for  its  humble  sealing-boats  were  to  give  place  to  vessels 
of  from   fiftv  to  one  hundred   and  fifty  tons,  and  to 
be  manned  with  crews  of  from  twenty-five  to   forty 
men  ;  while  the  interest  of  every  individual  to  the  north 
of  St.  Johns,  from  the  richest  to  the  poorest,  was  to  be 
so  interwoven  with  it,  that  its  prosecution  and  results 
should  cause  more  speculation,  more  anxiety,  more  ex- 
citement and  solicitude,  than  perhaps  does  any  other 
sino-le  branch  of  business  in  any  part  of  the  world. 

The  length  of  time  spent  in  sealing-voyages  is  from 
three  to  eight  weeks.  The  medium  length  is  five 
weeks.  The  owner  ot  the  vessel  supplies  her  with 
provisions,  and  all  other  necessaries,  for  which  he  claims 
one  half  the  catch  of  seals.  He  also  receives  a  certain 
amount  from  each  man  for  his  berth  in  the  vessel. 
The  price  of  the  berth  varies  from  ten  shillings  to  two 
pounds.     A   man's  share  is  likewise  claimed  foi   the 

"         .        ,  .    •      i.«-  »»^/%;irAo  ffrkm  fnurnence 

vessel,      iiie  caiptam  or  uiU3i,ci  icv^wirv.    . -i 


SEAL-FISHERY. 


277 


to  Sixpence  per  seal  as  his  wages  ;   and  the  balance  of 
the  voyage  is  equally  divided  among  the  crew. 

The  monotony  of  a  Newfoundland  winter  is  broken 
during  the  Christmas  holidays,  when  the  young  men 
on  the  North  Shore  go  up  the  bay  to  secure  a  berth  to 
the  ice;  which  having  been  eif  ,  ed,  they  return  to 
finish  their  winter's  work. 

Early  in  February,  the  women  prepare  tlie  requisite 
supply  of  clothing  for  their  husbands  and  sons,  particu- 
larly their  coarse  jackets,  with  cuffs  and  buskins.  About 
the  Jast  week  in  February  each  man  goes  to  his  doctor 
(for  they  pay  the  doctor  by  the  year,  whether  they 
want  his  services  or  not),  for  a  little  medicine  for  the 
voyage.     And  a  little  it  is,  consisting  mostly  of  a  little 
salve,  in  case  of  a  cut,  a  little  friar's  balsam,  in  case  of  a 
sprain,  and,  above  all,  a  phial  containing  a  solution  of 
the  sulphate  of  zinc,  in  case  of  ice-blindness.     They 
are  now  ready  to  take  their  departure.     But,  on  all  the 
Wesleyan   stations,   it  is  customary  to  have  a  special 
sermon  preached,  and  a  special  prayer-meeting  held,  for 
and  on  behalf  of  those  about  to  be  engaged  in  the  per- 
ilous seal-fishery.     On  the  part  of  our  youno-    men 
who  profess  religion,  this  is  of  great  importance,  to 
prepare,  or  rather  to  fortify,  their  minds  against   the 
temptations  to  which  they  are  soon  to  be  exposed.  The 
swearing,  Sabbath-breaking,  drinking,  and  general  pro- 
fanity, m  the  sealing-vessels  are  truly  fearful.  They  have 
sometimes  been  called  floating  hells.     True,  there  are 
noble  exceptions,  and  particularly  in  those  vessels  which 
«iil  from  Conception  Bay,  where  not  a  few  pious  men, 
and  some  pious  captains,  are  to  be  found  who  set  them- 
selves to  worship  the  God  of  heaven,  and  present  a  bold 
front  to  that  torrent  of  iniquity  which  so  constantly 
rolls  against  them.  But  these  need  much  of  the  grace  of 

24  ^ 


278         NEWFOUNDLAND   AND  ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

God  ;  and  the  prayers  of  the  church  should  be  ron- 
stantly  offered  up  for  them,  that  they  may  be  kept  faith- 
fill  in  the  trying  liour. 

Our  valedictory  services  were   always  interesting; 
particularly  so  \vas  the  evening  prayer-meeting,  when 
the  big  tear  could  be  seen  dropping  from  the  eye  of 
manyli  hardy  mariner ;  while  the  hearty  Amen,  that 
would  ever  and  anon  fall  upon  the  listening  ear,  from 
the  male  part  of  the  congregation,  and  the  silent  sobs 
of  mothers,  daughters,  and  sisters,  would  indicate  the 
divine  presence,  and  involuntarily  induce  the  exclama- 
tion :  "  This   is   none   other  but   the   house   of  God, 
and  this  is  the  gate  of  heaven." 

The  Sabbath  being  over,  the  sealers  prepare  for 
departure.  The  men  themselves  do  not  call  the  ani- 
mal they  now  go  to  seek,  a  seal,  but  a  swale,  or  a  soil, 
and  the  occupation,  swaling,  or  soiling.  About  the 
last  of  February,  hundreds  of  ice-hunters  might  be  seen 
toiling  up  the  sculping  highlands,  with  their  gaffs, 
and  long  swaling  guT.s  <vn  their  shoulders,  aud  bearing 
packs  on  their  bar^^  ,  ^n  order  to  join  their  respective 
vessels  on  the  iir»t  'vf  March,  when  every  man  was 
expected  to  be  in  coliai  for  the  ice. 

A  few  days  is  sufficient  to  fit  out  the  vessel,  which 
is  full  timbered,  with  false  beams,  to  resist  a  side  pres- 
sure from  the  ice  ;  and  the  plank  at  her  bows  sheathed 
with  wood  and  plated  with  iron,  to  bear  the  friction, 
as  she  presses  forward.     When  ready  for  sea,  the  men 
are  divided  into  groups,  to  cut  their  vessel  out  of  har- 
bor.    At  this  time,  the  ice  in  the  harbors  of  St.  Johns, 
Harbor  Grace,  Trinity,  and  other  places,  presents   a 
lively  appearance,  as  hundreds  of  men,  with  their  loud 
hurrah,  and  their  junction  song,  «  Ho,  heave  ho,'Svork 
their  pit-saws  and  \n  leld  their  hatchets,  to  cut  the  ice. 


w  m 


I. 

be  con- 

eptfaith- 

eresting ; 
12,  when 
le  eye  of 
nen,  that 
ear,  from 
lent  sobs 
licate  the 
exclama- 
of  God, 

epare  for 
11  the  ani- 
or  a  soil, 
Lbout  the 
ht  be  seen 
leir  gaffs, 
d  bearing 
respective 
man   was 

3sel,  which 
,  side  pres- 
's  sheathed 
16  friction, 
I,  the  men 
out  of  har- 
Si.  Johns, 
presents  a 
1  their  loud 
J  ho,"  work 

3Ut    mO  ICv, 


ANECOOTli    OF    A    8EAUXG-CAPTAIN. 


279 


and  then,  with  their  gaffs  and  then  handspikes,  push  it 
into  open  water ;  while  the  vessels  in  long  line  are  slowly- 
dragged  down  the  newly  made  channel,  to  be  ready  to 
spread  their  snowy  sails  i  the  f^rst  fair  breeze  that 
can  waft  them  toward  their  destination  in  the  north. 

In  the  time  of  which  we  are  writing,  but  few  of  the 
masters  or  skippers  of  ice-hunters  knew  anything  of 
navigation  ;  and  although  thej  were  excellent  seamen, 
yet  somedmes  they  found  it  difficult,  after  being  out 
of  sight  of  land  foi-  weeks,  to  regain  their  own  sliore. 

Their  method  for  calculating  for  their  return   was 
carefully  to  note  the  point  of  their  departure,  ai 
direction  in  which  the  ice  ^h-ifted.     When  practi  , 

they  took  their  departure  from  Bacalieu,  which  an 
island  in  the  drift  c»f  Conception  and  Trinity  Bays, 
from  which  island  thev  steered  north-east  for  the  ice ; 
and  a  .  the  northern  ic  ually  drifts  to  the  south-east, 
in  returning,  they  were  accustomed  t'^  steer  north- 
west jor  the  place  of  their  departure,  ilence  it  h«>- 
came  a  proverb  :  "  Wherever  you  are,  steer  north-west 
for  Bacalieu."  But,  in  so  doing,  our  skippers  would 
sometimes  miss  the  whole  island,  and  bring  up  on  some 
other  land.  An  amusing  incident,  connected  with  this 
steering  north-west,  was  related  to  the  writer  by  a 
friend  in  Grand  Bank.  Our  friend  was  fishing  off'  the 
Island  cf  St.  Peters,  early  in  the  month  of  M;i  ',  when 
a  sealing-schooner  bore  down  upon  hih>,  ana,  hailing 
him,  asked,  "Is  that  land  Bacalieu  Island  ?  "  The  stran- 
ger was  some  three  hundred  miles  oui  of  his  way. 
Our  friend  replied, "  There  is  no  such  place  as  Bacalieu 
on  this  coast:  tlie  laud  on  which  the  fog  hangs  is  the 
French  island  of  St.  Peters."  The  man  stood  aghast  I 
He  had  never  heard  of  St.  Petei's,  any  more  than  our 
inenci  nad  heard  of  Bacalieu ;  but  catching  the  words. 


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23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


S.*.     -t  .  »         J 


280  NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

"  tl.c  French  Island,"  he  seemed  to  think  he  had  got 
somewhere  on  the  coast  of  France.  Pausing  a  moment, 
he  said,  "  I  do  allow  I  am  out  of  reckoning !  The  French 
island !  which  is  the  way  to  Bacalieu  ?  "  Our  friend 
said,  "  I  do  not  know."  ''  Well,  then,"  said  the  stran- 
ger, "  what  is  the  course  to  St.  Johns  ?  "  "I  never  was 
at  St.  Johns,"  said  our  friend  ; "  but  you  must  steer 
north-east  seven  leagues  to  Cape  Chapeau  Rouge,  then 
east  half  south  twenty-three  leagues  to  Cape  St.  Mary, 
then  south-east  about  twenty-two  leagues,  and  you 
will  come  to  Cape  Race,  and  St.  Johns  is  on  that 
shore."  The  stranger,  after  a  sigh,  shaped  his  course 
for  Cape  Chapeau  Rouge,  with  a  shout  of  "  Good-by, 
a  fair  wind  to  you,  and  a  good  time  of  it,"  from  the 
crew  of  the  fishing-boat,  and  he  was  so'  n  lost  in  the 
distance. 

A  day  or  two  sail  from  the  Island  of  Bacalieu  will 
bring  the  vessel  to  the  ice,  which  presents  to  the  eye  a 
boundless  waste ;  the  ocean  swell  of  the  great  Atlantic 
now  asitates  the  floating  mass,  and  heaves  it  in  heaps 
of  every  form,  which  comes  craunching  against  both 
sides  of  the  vessel,  as  though  she  were  between  the 
jaws  of  some  aquatic  monster ;  while  the  myriads  of 
huge  ice-islands  from  the  Arctic  seas  sluggishly  roll 
their  ponderous  weight  along,  threatening  destruction 
to  any  craft  that  might  chance  to  be  in  their  way.  It 
not  unfrequently  happens  that  the  vessel  —  notwith- 
standing her  false  beams,  her  sheathed  bows,  and  every 
other  precaution  that  has  been  used,  to  render  her  in- 
vulnerable—  is  crushed  to  pieces,  and  her  hapless  crew 
left  to  wander  in  quest  of  another  vessel,  or  perish  on 

the  ice. 

But  by  the  kind   providence  of  that  Great  Being 
who  controls  all  nature,  and  whose  eyehds  never  slum- 


13. 


KILLING   THE   SEAL. 


281 


i 


s  had  got 
moment, 
le  French 
•ur  friend 
he  stran- 
lever  was 
lust  steer 
acre,  then 
3t.  Mary, 
and  you 
(  on  that 
his  course 
Good-by, 
from  the 
ost  in  the 

!alieu  will 
the  eye  a 
t  Atlantic 

ill  heaps 
linst  both 
;ween  the 
yriads  of 
nshlv  roll 
estruction 

way.  It 
-  notwith- 
and  every 
ler  her  in- 
pless  crew 

perish  on 


eat  Being 
3ver  slum- 


ber, the  men  being  preserved  from  these  dangers,  com- 
mence the  work  which  hrd  brought  them  from  then* 
homes. 

In  the  second  or  third  week  in  March,  the  white 
coats  are  in  their  prime,  and  the  barking  of  the  dams 
and  the  weaker  cry  of  their  young  unmistakably  point 
out  the  direction  the  hunter  must  go,  to  find  the  object 
of  his  pursuit.  His  implements  are  a  sealinjr-o-aff,  a 
hauiing-rope,  and  a  knife.  The  gaff  is  a  bat  of  wood, 
about  seven  feet  long,  with  a  hook  in  one  end.  This 
is  the  instrument  with  which  the  seal  is  killed ;  it  is 
struck  on  the  nose,  and  one  blow  will  kill  a  youno-  seal. 
The  knife  is  to  take  off  the  pelt,  and  the  rope  is  to  haul 
the  load  to  the  vessel.  By  the  word  pelt  is  meant  the 
skin  and  the  fat ;  for  the  fat  of  the  seal  adheres  to  the 
skin,  as  does  the  fat  to  the  back  of  the  hos :  wh*^n, 
therefore,  it  is  said  such  a  vessel  brought  home  so 
many  seals,  the  reader  must  understand,  those  were 
only  seals*  pelts,  for  the  carcass,  which  scarcely  con- 
tains a  particle  of  fat,  is  left  upon  the  ice. 

"When  the  man  approaches  the  young  &eal,  the 
mother,  with  a  howl  and  a  bound,  will  leave  her  off- 
spring, and,  darting  through  a  crevice  in  the  ice,  will 
seek  refuge  in  the  water  beneath.  The  young  white- 
coat  will  now  cry  like  a  young  lamb , —  some  say  like 
a  child;  and  the  tear  can  be  seen  in  the  eye.  But 
compassion  for  the  young  seal  is  out  of  the  questioii 
on  the  part  of  the  man  who  has  labored  so  much  and 
braved  so  many  dangers,  for  the  sole  purpose  of  taking 
its  life  and  seizing  its  skin  :  the  gaff  is  raised,  the  stroke 
falls  with  fatal  effect,  the  knife  is  plunged  into  the  belly 
of  the  animal ;  when  a  few  dexterous  cuts  will  take  off 
the  pelt,  and  the  carcass,  still  quivering  with  life,  is  left 
on  tiie  spot  in  a  pool  of  its  own  blood. 

24« 


282 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


E"'     i  -  M 


~M-§ 


The  pelt  of  tlie  white-coat  will  wein-h  about  fifty 
pounds  ;  and  when  tlie  hunter  has  taken  three  pelts,  it 
is  a  load ;  which  he  ties  in  his  hauling-rope,  and  then 
returns  to  the  vessel,  where,  having  left  his  prize,  he 
again  goes  to  the  scene  of  carnage,  to  repeat  the  same 
act  of  slaughter,  which  is  thus  continued  from  early 
dawn  to  evening  shade,  by  all  the  crews  of  all  the  ves- 
sels in  the  vicinity  of  the  seal-meadow,  until  acres  of 
ice  are  stained  with  the  blood,  and  strewed  with  the 
carcasses,  of  these  unoffending  victims.  In  this  manner, 
when  the  seals  are  ])lenty,  the  vessel  can  be  loaded  in 
a  few  days ;  when  she  carries  her  cargo  into  port,  and 
returns  to  the  ice  to  make  a  second  trip,  ere  the  season 
shall  have  passed  away.  But  the  seals  are  not  always 
so  plenty :  sometimes  the  voyage  is  a  failure ;  and  then 
the  consequences,  in  a  pecuniary  view,  are  serious,  both 
to  the  owner  and  to  the  crew. 

When  the  seals  are  found,  they  are  not  always  close 
to  the  vessel,  but  have  to  be  brought  a  distance  of  some 
miles,  when  hauling  a  turn  of  soils  over  the  big  hum- 
mocks, or  ice-hillocks,  makes  the  labor  exceedingly 
toilsome.  Sometimes  chasms  occur,  over  which  the 
men  must  leap,  or  move  pans  of  ice  with  their  gaffs  so 
as  to  form  a  bridge ;  sometimes  slob,  or  small  loose  ice 
covered  with  snow,  intervenes  between  the  larger  ice, 
on  which,  if  the  hunter  should  chance  to  step,  he  must 
be  extricated  by  the  gaff  of  his  friend,  or  he  is  in- 
gulfed and  perishes  in  the  water ;  not  unfrequently, 
when  a  distance  fVom  the  vessel,  a  dense  fog  arises,  or 
a  snow-storm  comes  on,  when  the  himter  is  speedily 
lost,  horns  are  blown,  and  guns  are  fired,  but  they  are 
inaudible  by  the  roaring  of  the  wind,  and  the  pitiless 
pelting  of  the  storm.  Lights  are  shown  at  night,  but 
they  are  invisible  in  the  snow-drift ;   deep  anxiety  is 


OBSERVANCE    OF   THE    SABBATH. 


283 


felt  by  the  cre>v  for  their  missing  sliipmate,  and  every 
exertion  is  made  to  find  liim  :  but  the  vessel  has  drifted 
far  away,  or  he  has  wandered  in  an  opposite  direction, 
or  fallen  through  the  ice ;  or  overcome  with  fatigue,' 
cold,  or  hunger,  he  lies  down,  and  is  frozen  to  delth! 
Seldom  does  a  sealing-voyage  terminate  without  some 
such  calamity,  or  the  month  of  May  arrive  without  the 
bitter  intelligence  being  conveyed  to  some  expectant 
family,  that  the  wife  is  a  widow,  and  the  children  are 
orphans. 

Taking  seals  on  the  Sabbath  used  to  be  practised  by 
all  hunters ;   and  it  must  be  admitted,  that  when,  on 
the  Sabbath   morning,  the  ice  would  be   alive  with 
seals,  and  there  was  a  possibility,  and  perhaps  a  prob- 
ability, that  by  the  next  day  they  would  all  disappear, 
a  powerful  motive  was  presented  to  the  mind  to  violate 
the  sanctity  of  that  holy  day.     When  some  raembers 
of  the  Wesleyan  Church  first  made  a  stand   against 
taking  seals  on  Sunday,  and  insisted  that  that  day  was 
the  Sabbath  of  the  Lord  as  well  at  the  ice  as  on  the 
shore,  and  that  its  hours  should  be  as  sacred,  and  his 
worship  performed  with  as  much  reverence,  on  board 
'the  schooner  as  in  the  stately  temple  in  the  crowded 
city,  they  were  laughed  at  as  enthusiasts,  or  considered 
as  taking  leave  of  their  senses.     And  although  it  is  a 
painful  fact,  that  of  the  many  hundreds  of  vessels  that 
now  go  to  the  ice  every  spring,  far  the  greater  part  of 
the  crews  of  those  vessels  still  constantly  disregard  the 
injunction  of  Jehovah  in  regard  to  the  Sabbath ;  yet 
there  are  now  many  noble  exceptions.     Many  captains 
will  not  now  allow  a  seal  to  be  brought  on  board  their 
ships ;  there  are  many  individuals,  and  whole  crews,  who 
will  not  catch  a  seal ;  and,  in  some  instances,  not  only  is 
the  Bible  read,  and  prayer-meetings  held,  but  a  regular 


MW 


11        ! 


4 


284         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


■■Be 

-  M 

^^^^Br 

,f~m 

^B 

.:k)-W 

^^E 

->■  i 

\.ati. 

public  service  is  performed  on  board  by  the  master,  or 
some  one  of  the  crew,  during  the  hours  of  God's  lioly 
day.  As  to  the  loss  of  seals  by  keeping  the  "  Sabbath 
day  holy,"  that  is  only  in  imagination  ;  for  the  Sabbath- 
keeping  captains  are  just  as  successful,  and  often  more 
so,  than  the  Sabbath-breaking  captains.  But,  even 
were  it  not  so,  earthly  gain  must  not  be  placed  in 
juxtaposition  with  the  mandate  of  Heaven  ;  but,  in  all 
cases,  is  that  divine  law  to  be  considered  of  para- 
mount importance,  "Remember  the  Sabbath  day  to 
keep  it  holy." 

Hundreds,  and  sometimes  thousands,  of  seals  being 
thrown  together  with  a  portion  of  the  blood,  and  the 
heat  of  the  April  sun  melting  the  fat,  and  changing  it 
into  oil,  causes  a  most  unpleasant  effluvia,  and  produces 
a  state  of  filth  which  is  more  easily  conceived  than 
described. 

The  flesh  of  the  seal  is  eaten  largely  by  the  hunters, 
and  the  heart  is  considered  by  some  as  a  dainty.  On 
shore,  the  seal  is  eaten  when  young  and  fresh.  Boiled, 
it  has  the  appearance  of  mutton  ;  but  the  general  way 
of  cooking  seal-flesh  on  land  is  to  soak  it  in  water,  and 
bake  it,  and  bring  it  on  the  table  with  berry-sauce  or 
preserved  fruit.  The  writer  has  often  partaken  of  seal- 
flesh  ;  but,  to  his  taste,  it  was  not  very  savory. 

Early  in  April,  the  sealers  think  of  returning  home, 
and  reach  there  about  the  middle  of  the  month.  If 
they  have  been  unsuccessful,  or  any  calamity  has  hap- 
pened, they  enter  the  harbor  as  silently  as  possible  ;  but 
if  t\iey  have  had  a  prosperous  voyage,  the  flags  fly  at 
the  masts,  and  a  gun  is  fired  for  every  hundred  seals 
that  has  been  taken  on  board. 

Formerly,  when  the  vessel  arrived,  the  pelts  would 
be  counted,  and  sold  so  much  for  eacli,  according  to  its 


RETURN   OF   THE   SEALERS. 


285 


size ;  but  some  of  the  hunters  were  guilty  of  fraud,  by 
leaving  a  portion  of  fat  on  tlie  carcass,  that  the  load 
might  be  lighter  to  haul.  The  seals  are  therefore  now 
all  purchased  by  weight.  The  number  of  seals  brought 
into  the  different  ports  in  one  spring  often  exceeds  half 

l^VoT  7^'^  """'^^'  *^^""  ^"  *^^«  y^^^  1840  was 
bdM85,  which  would  average  something  over  one  dol- 
lar for  each  seal.  When  the  seal-pelts  are  landed,  the 
skinners  scrape  the  fat  from  the  skin,  and  put  it  into 
large  vats,  where  the  heat  of  the  sun  during  the  earlier 
months  of  summer  melts  it,  and  it  becomes  the  pale 
seal-oil,  which  is  drawn  off  in  casks,  and  mostly  ex- 
ported to  Europe.  The  skins  are  slightly  salted,  and 
exported  to  the  same  countries. 

Sometimes  the  drift-ice  will  come  into  the  harbors 
with  thousands  of  seals,  when  men,  women,  and  chil- 
dren will  go  to  get  a  haul.  It  is  said  that,  in  the  sprino- 
of  1843,  near  20,000  seals  were  thus  taken  by  the  pe(^ 
pie  from  the  shore. 

While  our  members  are  away  to  the  ice,  they  are 
never  forgotten  at  home.  They  are  always  remem- 
bered m  public  and  family  prayer,  and  prayer-meetincrs 
are  specially  held  to  supplicate  a  throne  of  grace  on  their 
behalf.  It  was  truly  delightful,  on  the  arrival  of  the 
young  men  from  the  dangers  of  the  ice,  to  hear  the 
female  portions  of  the  family  relate  to  them  from  mem-  . 
ory  the  sermons  that  had  been  preached,  the  exhorta- 
tions that  had  been  given,  the  prayers  that  had  been 
offered  up  for  them,  and  the  hymns  that  had  been  sung 
at  public  worship  and  at  the  prayer-meetings,  during 
their  absence.  ^ 

A  few  days  after  the  return  of  the  ice-hunters,  the 
preparation  for  the  summer  cod-fishery  commences, 
when  the  labor,  fatigue,  and  anxiety  connected  ther&. 


™ffl 


f^Smm^ 


■ 

1 

i 

li  'i' 

1 

1 

1 

u 

1       1' 

286         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

with,  as  already  described,  liave  again  to  be  endurea ; 
and  thus,  in  summer  and  winter,  in  spring  and  autumn, 
has  the  Newfoundlander  a  life  of  constant  toil  and  of 

danger. 

We  will  now  present  a  table,  by  which  the  reader 
will  see  the  progress  of  the  seal-fishery  since  the  year 
1795.  The  years  in  the  table  are  not  regularly  con- 
secutive, but  are  given  simply  as  examples. 


No.  Reals  taken 

Years.                                                                                      each  year. 

1795 4,9C0 

1814 

.    156,000 

1815  .      . 

.    141,370 

1820 

i 

.    221,334 

1825 

.    221,510 

1830 

.    300,681 

1831 

.    559,342 

1832 

.    442,003 

1833 

.    384,699 

1834 

.    360,155 

1835 

.    557,490 

1836 

,    384,321 

1838 

.    375,361 

1840 

» 

.    631,385 

1841 

.    417,115 

1842 

.    344,683 

1847 

.    455,180 

Number  of  vessels  engaged  in  the  seal-fisliery  in  1847. 

Dietriots. 

Vessels. 

Tonnage. 
9,353 

Men. 

St.  Johns, 

95 

3,215 

Brigus, 

66 

5,010 

2,111 

Carbcnear, 

64 

4,634 

1,672 

Harbor  Grace,    j 

51 

5,084 

1,684 

Ports  to  North'd, 

74 

5,803 

2,123 

Total, 

1 

O 

O 

40                      29,884          I      10,805 

SEALING-VESSEM. 


287 


iBs 


Tlie  capture  of  the  seal  for  its  pelt,  —  that  is,  the  skin, 
and  fat   which  produce   the   seal-oil,  —  has  been   the 
practice  of  the  inhabitants  from  the  first  settlement  of 
the  island.     In  the  commencement  of  the  seal-fishery 
seal-nets  were  used ;  and  the  seal-fishery,  by  means  of 
seal-nets,  was  extensively  carried  on  all  along  the  north- 
eastern coast.     Venturesome  men  next  went  to  the  ice 
in  boats,  when  it  came  near  the  shore ;  and  the  number 
of  seals  thus  taken,  they  considered  an  ample  reward 
for  their  daring  and  danger.     The  success  of  the  seal- 
ing-boats  encouraged  parties  to  fit  out  decked  vessels, 
as  they  could  go  to  a  greater  distance,  and  could  better 
stand  the  roughs  connected  with  a  sealing-voyage.    The 
boats  that  used  to  be  employed  in  this  hazardous  voyage 
were   open   fishing-boats  ;    but,   in   1793,    two   smdl 
schooners,  of  about  forty-five  tons  each,  were  fitted  out 
for  the  ice,  and  sailed  from  St.  Johns  on  the  first  week 
in  April.     They  were  very  successful,  one  of  them  re- 
turning with  eight  hundred  seals.     In  1796,  four  ves- 
sels, of  a  similar  size,  sailed  from  St.  Johns,  and  a  few 
from  Conception  Bay,  some  of  which  were  equally  suc- 
cessful.     Still,  for  many  years,  there  was  a  prejudice 
against  employing  vessels  at  the  ice  of  ove     '5fty  or 
sixty  tons.    But  in  the  year  1825,  two  vessels  (thought 
at  the  time  too  monstrous  for  such  a  purpose),  of  120 
tons  each,  were  built  in  Conception  Bay,"  expressly  for 
the  seal-fishery.     They  were  both  very  fortunate :  one 
returned  in  the  sr^ring  of  1826,  with  6,666  seals,  and 
the  other  with  5,828.     This  set  the  question  at  rest  as 
to  the  size  of  the  vessels  ;  and  the  ice-hunters  now  are- 
usually  well-built  craft,  of  from  120  to  140  tons.     As 
seen  in  the  above  table,  the  number  of  men  employed 
in  1847  was  near  11,000,  and  the  estimated  value  of 


the  seals  taken  that  spr 


m« 


rnc      J*  O 

TOO   i»j a 


14,175  sterlin 


i£. 


CHAPTER    XI. 


MISSION  TO  THE  LABnAPOB  INDIANS  —  MORAVIAN  MISSION  —  AT>AM 
CLARK  AVARD— NEWFOUNDLAND  DISTRICT  —  THOMAS  HICKSON'S 
MISSION  — RICHARD  KNIOHT'S  MISSION  —  GEORGE  KLLIDGE'S  MIS- 
SION—CHARLES  BATES— WITHDRAWAL  OF  THE  MISSION. 


MISSION   TO   THE    LABRADOR   INDIANS. 

THE  Moravians  have  the  honor  of  several  important 
mission  stations  on  the  frigid  coast  of  Lahrador, 
wliich  were  established  only  by  the  most  indomitable 
Christian  courage  and  perseverance.  The  first  attempt 
of  this  noble  object  was  in  the  year  1752,  when  four 
Moravian  ministers  sailed  from  London  for  the  Labrador 
in  a  trading  vessel,  determined,  by  the  grace  of  God,  that, 
while  the  captain  should  transact  secular  business  with 
the  Indians,  they  would  take  the  opportunity  of  speaking 
to  them  about  spiritual  things,  and  of  making  known 
to  them  the  gospel  of  salvation.  Two  of  the  ship's 
crew  were  murdered  by  the  natives,  in  consequence  of 
which  the  missionaries  had  to  return,  to  enable  the  cap- 
tain to  bring  the  ship  back  to  Europe,  and  the  mission, 
for  a  time,  was  abandoned.^ 

Twelve  years  afterward,  or  in  the  year  1764,  Jens 
Haven,  who  had  been  for  some  years  a  missionary  in 
Greenland,  and  who  spoke  the  Greenland  language, 
sailed  from  England  in  a  Danish  ship,  with  the  design 
of  again  attempting  to  establish  a  mission  on  the  Labra- 
dor coast.     Whenever  he  landed  the  Indians  fled,  so 

1  Crantz's  History  of  United  Brethren,  p.  404. 
(288) 


ESQUIMAUX. 


289 


that  he  could  not  get  an  opportunity  of  making  known 
to  them  his  object.  After  a  time,  the  ship  had  occasion 
to  touch  at  Quirpon  Island,  on  the  north-east  point  of 
Newfoundland,  where  he  met  with  a  number  of  the 
Esquimaux,  with  whom  he  conversed  freely,  and  taught 
them  the  worship  of  the  true  God,  and  the  way  to 
heaven. 

The  year  following,  accompanied  by  another  Danish 
missionary  from  Greenland,  he,  with  two  lay-brethren, 
in  a  Danish  ship  of  war,  again  visited  the  coast.  They 
now  met  with  some  hundreds  of  the  Exquimaux,  and 
spoke  to  them  in  the  Greenland  language,  **  of  the 
things  pertaining  to  the  kingdom  of  God."  There  is 
an  affinity  between  the  Greenland  and  the  Esquimau 
languages ;  but  that  affinity  is  not  so  great  as  to  enable 
the  Indians  to  understand  the  verities  of  Christianity 
from  the  Danish  missionaries,  who  could  only  speak  in 
Greenlandic. 

The  Esquimaux  thought  themselves  very  good  peo- 
ple ;    that  the  Greenlanders  were  wicked  people ;  but 
that  the  foreigners,  and  particularly^the  Europeans  who 
traded  with  them,  and  generally  cheated  them,  were 
real  Kahlunats.     A  Kablunat  means  a  very  wicked 
man,  or  a  villain.     When,  therefore,  the  missionary 
Drachart  spoke  to  them  about  their  depravitv,  and  of 
the  depravity  of  mankind,  they  saM,  "  That  may  be 
true  of  the  Kablunats ;  but,  as  frr  us,  we  are  good 
people."     When  they  told  them  of  the  Greenlanders, 
who  had  been  washed  in  the  blood  of  Christ,  they 
replied,  "  Then  they  must  have  been  very  bad  peo- 
ple."    When  they  spoke  about  the  Redeemer,  they 
imagmed  he  was   some  great  personage,  who  would 
save  them  from  the  Kablunats,  and  assist  them  ao-ainst 
then-  enemies  in  the  north.     The  missionaries  had  a 


f.if 


25 


fchlj   ^    Ji 


200  NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSION  ARIES, 

letter  of  fricndsliip  to  tlicm  from  tlio  Governor  of  New- 
ibundlaiul,  vvlncli,  wliile  tliey  listene<l  m  it  was  read, 
yet  tliey  would  in  no  way  be  persuaded  to  take  the 
(locunient  into  their  own  hands,  as  tliey  thouj^ht  there 
must  he  soniethin«;  livnij?  in  it,  since  it  could  communi- 
cate the  thouj];htH  of  a  man  at  such  a  distance.  The 
brethren,  however,  did  not  yet  see  their  way  clear,  and 
the  establishment  of  the  Labrador  mission  was  again 
deferred.  This  happened  in  17G5,  —  the  same  year 
that  Lawrence  Coughlan  came  to  Newfoundland. 

In  the  year  1771,  after  nineteen  years  of  effort,  or, 
rather,  of  efforts  made  at  different  times  during;  a  period 
of  nineteen  years,  the  Moravians  succeeded  in  establish- 
ing their  mission.  Labrador  belongs  to  Great  Britain  ; 
therefore  the  missionaries,  Jens  Haven,  Christian  Dra- 
chart,  and  Stei)hen  Jenson,  applied  to,  and  obtained  a 
grant  from,  the  British  government  for  missionary  pur- 
poses. The  spot  'ipon  which  they  fixed  as  their  mission 
station  was  in  57°  north  latitude,  about  the  parallel  of 
the  Hebrides.  It  was  at  the  head  of  a  bay,  or  deep 
indent  in  the  land  ;.  and  from  its  pleasant  situation,  and 
its  commanding  view  of  the  ocean,  they  called  their 
station  Nain,  which  means  pleasant,  or  beauty.  The 
climate  of  Nain  varies  from  75°  or  80°  in  summer,  to  a 
degree  of  cold  in  winter  where  ordinary  rum  will  freeze 
like  water,  and  rectified  spirits  soon  become  as  thick  as 

oil. 

The  ignorance  of  the  Esquimaux  was  so  palpable 
that  it  was  difficult  to  make  them  understand  the  first 
principles  of  religion.  When  the  missionaries  spoke  to 
them  of  indulging  in  their  brutal  passions,  they,  like 
many  in  Christian  lands,  would  try  to  make  out  that 
they  were  quite  as  good,  if  not  a  little  better,  than  their 
neitrhbors.     Thus  the  liars  would  console  themselves 


r.^'j 


MORAVIAN    MISSIONARIES. 


291 


that  tlicy  wore  not  tliiuvos  ;  the  tliievcs,  tiiat  they  were 
not  niurdcivrs  ;  and  tl-o  murderers,  that  tliey  were  not 
Kaldanatu!  whicli  tl»ey  placed  in  the  highest  scale  of 
criniinuis. 

God  blessed  the  labors  of  these  devoted  men  ;  and  in 
Kvc  years,  —  that  is,  -'n  177(3,  —  tliey  formed  a  new  set- 
tlement on  a  small  island  called  Okkak,  about  one  hun- 
-Ired  and  fifty  miles  north  of  Nain,  and  near  Hudson's 
Strait.     Here  they  had  a  good  haven  for  boats,  a  harbor 
for  ships,  with  abundance  offish,  and  a  plentiful  supply 
of  wood.     Many  of  the  savages  soon  felt  the  power 
of  religion,  and  were  baptized  into  the  Christian  faith. 
In  the  year  1782,  a^third  settlement  was  formed  to 
the  south  of  Nain,.  which  the  brethren  called  Hopedale. 
The  missionaries  soon  acquired  a  complete  knowl- 
edge of  the  Esquimau  language,  wlien  they  translated 
the  New  Testament  and  a  Harmony  of  the  Four  Gos- 
pels, which  were  printed  at  the  expense  of  the  British 
and  Foreign  Bible  Society.     They  collected  the  chil- 
dren in  schools,  and  translated  a  spelling-book,  and  a 
catechism  for  the  use  of  the  schools,  and  a  hymn-book 
for  the  general  purposes  of  the  mission.       They  taught 
the  people  to  sing,  and  they  succeeded  in  getting  all 
their  converts  to  have  family  prayer,  both  night  and 
morning,  and,  in  different   ways,  to    edify  and   love 
each  other. 

We  cannot  close  this  statement  without  presenting  to 
the  eye  of  the  reader  the  following  very  interestino 
account,  as  found  in  the  appendix  to  the  report  of  the 
British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society  for  1812,  p.  42. 

"  When  the  Gospel  of  John,  which  was  first  printed,  was  dis- 
tributed among  the  converts,  they  expressed  their  sense  of  its 
value  in  the  most  affecting  manner.  Some  burst  into  a  flood  of 
tears  ;  others  pressed  the  httle  book  to  their  bosom,  and  looked  b& 


M 


292         JTEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


happy  as  if  they  had  enjoyed  a  foretaste  of  heaven.  They  used 
to  take  it  with  them  when  they  went  in  search  of  provisions ;  and 
they  spent  their  evenings  in  their  tents  or  snow-houses,  reading  it 
with  great  dehght.  Several  of  the  Esquimaux  at  Nain,  having 
been  informed  of  the  nature  and  operations  of  the  Bible  Society, 
began,  of  their  own  accord,  to  collect  seals'  blubber,  with  a  view 
of  sending  it  as  a  contribution  to  that  invaluable  institution.  Some 
brought  whole  seals,  or  part  of  a  seal,  according  to  their  several 
ability  ;  others  brought  portions  of  blubber  in  the  name  of  their 
children,  begging  that  their  offerings  might  also  be  accepted,  so 
that  other  heathens  might  be  presented  with  that  blessed  book." 

In  the  year  1821,  a  statement  of  the  Esquimaux 
mission  was  given  to  the  world,  showing  its  results ; 
the  tabular  view  of  which  we  here  extract  from  Brown's 
History  of  the  propagation  of  Christianity  among  the 
heathen.^ 


When  begun. 

Settlements. 

No.  of  Adults. 

ChUdren. 

Total. 

1771 
1776 

1782 

Nain 

Okkak 

Hopedale 

95 
189 
102 

124 
142 
116 

218 
331 
218 

Total 

386 

381 

767 

In  the  Missionary  Register  for  February,  1820,  there 
is  found  this  statement  of  the  Labrador  mission :  — 

"  The  gospel  continues  to  show  its  power  in  the  hearts  of  the 
Esquimaux,  and  of  rough,  wild,  and  proud  heathen,  to  use  the 
words  of  the  missionaries,  to  make  repenting  sinners  humble  fol- 
lowers of  Jesus ;  while  most  of  the  members  of  the  congregations 
become  more  firmly  grounded  on  the  only  true  foundation.  Great 
thankfulness  is  expressed  for  the  portion  of  the  Scripture  printed 
for  them  by  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible  Society.  The  missionaries 
write  thus:  "We  rejoice  in  prospect  of  the  great  blessings 
which  our  dear  people,  young  and  old,  will  derive  from  the  peru- 

» Brown's  Christianity,  Vol.  1,  p.  594. 


S    ti 


s. 

They  used 
isions ;  and 
,  reading  it 
ain,  having 
)le  Society, 
?ith  a  view 
ion.  Some 
lieir  several 
me  of  their 
iccepted,  so 
id  book." 

squimaux 
s  results ; 
i  Brown's 
mong  the 


Total. 

218 
331 
218 

767 

m,  there 
m:  — 

earts  of  the 
to  use  the 
humble  fol- 
>ngregations 
ition.  Great 
ture  printed 
missionaries 
at  blessings 
m  the  peru- 


HANTS   HARBOR. 


293 


sal;  for  they  value  the  Scriptures  above  every  other  gift,  and 
always  carry  the  books  with  them,  as  their  choicest  treasure,  when- 
ever they  go  from  us  to  any  distance,  that  they  may  read  in  them 
every  morning  and  evening.'"-  Wesleyan  Mission  to  Labrador. 

Such  was  the  state  of  the  Moravian  mission  at  Lab- 
rador  wlien  the  Wesleyan  Missionary  Committee  re- 
solved also  to  establish  a  mission  on  the  southern  part 
of  that  dreary  land,  so  that  the  Esquimaux,  from  Hud- 
son's Bay  to  the  St.  Lawrence,  might  all  be  rescued 
trom  heathen  darkness,  and  enjoy  the  light  and  privileges 
of  Christian  truth. 

From  Hopedale,  the  most  southern  of  the  Moravian 
settlement,  to  the  mouth  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  or  the 
btrait  of  Belle  Isle,  there  are  some  three  hundred  miles 
of  coast,  over  which  still  roams  the  ^^squimaux,  in  his 
heathen  state  and  savage  wildness.  It  was  to  this 
tract  of  country  that  our  noble  missionary  secretaries, 
the  Rev.  Messrs.  Bunting,  Taylor,  and  Watson,  con- 
templated sending  a  Wesleyan  missionary,  in  order  to 
reclaim  the  nomads  of  the  south,  as  their  brethren,  the 
Moravians,  had  so  successfully  done  with  the  same 
tribes  m  a  more  hyperborean  district. 

A  young  man  of  talent,  of  sterling  piety,  and  in 
every  way  qualified  for  such  a  work,  was  already  in 
the  mission  field, -Adam  C.  Avard,  then  stationed  at 
i^redericton.  This  young  missionary  enjoyed  the  full 
confidence  of  the  committee,  and  v^ould  have  gone  to 
Labrador  the  next  year,  but  his  Master  called  him 
home.  He  sickened  and  died.  In  the  Missionary  Re- 
port for  1821,  page  106,  the  committee  make  a  note 
on  this  as  follows : 

"An  excellent  young  man,  Mr.  Avard,  has  been  called  away 
irom  this  mission  (Nova  Scotia  and  ISTftw  Rr"n-vi»^^  V-  -^^-^h 
>vho  had  given  great  promise  of  usefulness.    He  was  appointed 


294         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

to  establish  a  mission  among  the  Indians  on  the  Labrador  coast, 
but  was  taken  sick  before  the  commencement  of  his  voyage.  That 
enterprise  has  been  confided  to  the  brethren  in  Newfomidland ; 
and  the  instructions  sent  out  by  Mr.  Avard  have  been  transferred 
to  the  missionary  who  may  be  appointed  by  the  chairman  of  that 
district." 

About  two  years  before  this,  considerable  excitement 
had  been  produced  by  the  baptism  of  six  Labrador 
Indians  by  our  missionary,  Mr.  Ellis,  at  Bearneed,  in 
the  Port  de  Grave  Circuit.  They  were  all  of  one  fam- 
ily, and  consisted  of  a  mother,  her  daughter,  her  son, 
her  son's  wife,  and  two  grand-children.  Of  their  cos- 
tume, Mr.  Ellis  gives  the  following  description :  — 

"  Their  dress  is  of  the  skin  of  deer  and  seals,  and  there  is  no 
difFerence  in  the  manner  of  wearing  it,  except  that  the  coats  of 
the  women  have  long  tails  hanging  down  to  the  ground.  Both 
men  and  women  wear  pantaloons  made  by  the  latter,  and  to  the 
coat  of  the  women  is  fixed  a  hood,  in  which  they  carry  their 
young  children.  Their  face  is  rather  broad,  eyes  a  deep  black, 
and  their.color  approaching  that  of  mahogany,  their  teeth  white 
and  weU  set,  hands  small,  and  of  fine  symmetry.  They  are  an 
interesting-looking  people."  * 

The  first  instructions  that  the  Newfoundland  District 
received  was  in  the  year  1820 ;  and  are  referred  to  in 
the  Missionary  Report  for  that  year,  p.  86.  In  this  re- 
port, both  the  aboriginal  inhabitants  of  the  island,  and 
the  Esquimaux,  are  brought  to  the  notice  of  the  breth- 
ren and  the  public,  as  objects  of  missionary  enterprise. 
The  paragraph  reads :  — 

»Newfouni;land  District.  The  accounts  from  this  island 
are  favorable.  The  attention  of  the  public  has  lately  been  turned 
to  the  aboriginal  inhabitants  in  the  interior,  and  should  any  open- 
ing to  these  insulated  tribes  occur,  the  brethren  are  directed  to  avail 
themselves  of  it  to  attempt  their  instruction.    They  have  been 


»  Methodist  Magazine,  1820,  p.  637. 


i. 


THOMAS    HICKSON. 


295 


idor  coast, 
age.  That 
bundland ; 
;ransferred 
tan  of  that 

:citement 
Labrador 
rneed,  in 
one  fam- 
her  son, 
their  cos- 

there  is  no 
he  coats  of 
and.     Both 

and  to  the 
carry  their 
ieep  black, 
teeth  white 
?hey  are  an 

id  District 
jrred  to  in 
In  this  ren 
sland,  and 
the  breth- 
enterpriso. 

n  this  island 
been  turned 
Id  any  open- 
ected  to  avail 
y  have  been 


also  directed  to  make  inquiries  as  to  the  establishment  of  a  mission 
on  the  opposite  coast  of  LabraUr  %  with  which  there  is  an  intercourse 
in  the  fishing-season." 

Although  the  brethren  received  instructions  about 
the  Esquimau  Mission  in  1820,  yet  they  did  not  see 
their  way  to  move  in  the  case  until  the  year  1824,  be- 
cause they  had  not  a  man  to  spare  from  any  of  their 
circuits.  But  in  this  year,  Thomas  Hickson  was  about 
to  return  to  England,  and  offered,  before  he  left,  to  go 
on  a  mission  of  exploration  to  the  Labrador,  and  report 
the  result  to  the  committee.  Mr.  Hickson  sailed  from 
St.  Johns,  June  18th,  1824,  and  reached  the  coast  on 
the  23d.  He  sailed  along  the  coast,  visiting  different 
harbors,  and  arrived  at  the  place  of  his  destination, 
which  was  the  Great  Bay  of  Esquimau,  on  the  8th 
of  July.  The  geographical  position  of  Esquimau  Bay 
is  laid  down  as  in  lat.  51°  25'  10";  Ion.  57°  32' 
west. 

The  journal  of  Mr.  Hickson  is  published  in  the  mis- 
sionary notices  and  Wesleyan  Methodist  Magazine  for 
1825.  He  opened  his  mission  in  Tub  Harbor,  on  the 
11th  of  July,  1824.  He  says,  "  I  had  the  unspeakable 
satisfaction  of  preaching  the  word  of  life  for  the  first 
time  in  the  Great  Bay  of  Esquimau.  The  poor  In- 
dians were  very  serious,  though  they  could  not  under- 
stand much  of  what  was  spoken."  Mr.  Hickson  spoke 
in  English  at  this  time,  but  a  few  days  later  he  found  a 
native  female  who  could  act  as  an  interpreter.  He 
now  collected  forty  Indians,  and  preached  to  them  with 
great  satisfaction.  Of  this  sermon  he  says  :  "  I  spoke 
through  the  means  of  the  above  mentioned  person  as  an 
interpreter,  who,  when  she  had  made  them  to  understand 
any  truth  of  the  gospel,  manifested  very  pleasing  tokens 
of  gratitude.    The  interpreter  was  at  loss  to  find  a  word 


M!M»it;'!tf4««« 


' 


296         NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

in  the  Esquimau  for  prayer ;  and  the  reason  she  as- 
signed was,  tl  it  prayer  was  not  known  among  them; 
they  had,  therefore,  no  word  for  it." 

Mr.  Hickson  continued  at  the  Labrador  about  one 
month,  and  had  to  leave  Esquimau  Bay  on  the  10th 
of  August.  He  spent  most  of  his  time  among  the  In- 
dians, in  their  wigwams,  or  in  some  way  instructing 
them  in  the  knowledge  of  the  truth.  He  met  with 
some  who  had  been  with  the  Moravian  missionaries  in 
the  north,  who  frequently  expressed  a  grateful  and  af- 
fectionate remembrance  of  their  former  teachers,  and 
sometimes  while  Mr.  H.  was  preaching,  would  aloud 
inform  their  brethren  that  they  had  heard  the  same 
truths  spoken  by  the  Moravian  missionaries. 

Of  the  population  of  Esquimau  Bay,  Mr.  Hickson, 
as  the  result  of  his  inquiries,  sets  down  the  following 
figures :  — 

Real  Esquimaux  adults, 100 

Real  Esquimaux  children, 60 

Half'  Esquimaux  children,  .  .  .  .  .  60 
European  settlers,  .  .  .  .  •  .  .90 
Canadian  settlers, 16 

Total  number,  exclusive  of  any  other  part  of  the  coast,  326 

Of  their  ideas  and  practices  we  are  furnished  with 
the  following  statement :  "  The  Esquimaux  have  very 
confused  notions  of  a  Supreme  Being,  but  they  have  an 
idea  of  the  devil,  whom  they  suppose  to  be  the  author 
of  all  pain.  In  the  case  of  dangerous  illness,  the  oldest 
person  in  the  place  hangs  all  the  pot-crooks  or  old  hoops 
about  him,  and,  taking  a  stick  in  his  hand,  he  turns 
over  all  the  skins  in  the  wigwam  in  order  to  drive  the 
devil  away.  If  his  satanic  majesty  '  not  terrified  by 
this  rumpus,  they  have  recourse  to  sacrifice,  which  is 


\:h 


THOMAS   HICKSON. 


297 


she  as- 
them ; 


)out  one 
;he  10th 
f  the  In- 
jtructing 
net  with 
naries  in 
I  and  af- 
lers,  and 
Id  aloud 
he  same 


Hickson, 
following 


100 
.    60 

60 
.    90 

16 

it,  326 

;hed  with 
lave  very 

have  an 
le  author 
the  oldest 
old  hoops 
he  turns 
drive  the 
■rifled  by 

which  is 


by  killing  their  best  dog.'»     But  human  sacrifice  was 
not   then   unknown.      Mr.  Hickson  mentions   a  case 
which  occurred  about  three  years  before  he  visited  the 
bay.      An  Indian,  supposing   himself  To  be  in  dying 
circumstances,  and  having  a  notion  that  the  devil  would 
spare  his  life  if  he  could  accomplish  the  death  of  another 
person,  fixed  upon  a  neighbor's  wife  as  his  victim,  and 
ordered  his  own  wife  to  do  the  bloody  deed.     She  was 
reluctant,  but  he  seized  a  hatchet,  and  threatened  her 
life  if  she  refused  obedience  to  his  mandate ;    when, 
prevailing  upon  another  female  to  assist  her,  they  to^ 
gether  murdered  the  poor  woman  by  hanging.     But 
the  man  died,  and  the  wife  became  frantic.     When  an 
Esquimau  dies,  his  body  is  wrapped  in  skins,  and  laid 
upon  the  surface  of  the  ground,  and  a  large  pile  of 
stones  is  raised  over  it.     The  canoe,  darts,  kettles,  and 
other  utensils  are  buried  \5'ith  him,  supposing  he  will 
need  them  in  another 'world. 

Mr.  Hickson  was  fully  impressed  with  the  importance 
and  duty  of  sending  a  missionary  among  them.     Before 
he  left  he  intimated  that  a  missionary  would  be  sent 
among  them,  and  said  it  was  necessary  that  they  should 
live  as  near  to  him  as  possible,  in  order  to  enjoy  the  ben- 
efit of  his  labors.     To  this  they  replied,  "  Wherever  the 
missionary  may  be,  we  will  not  be  far  from  him.'*     As 
Mr.  Hickson  was  leaving,  the  Indians  stood  upon  the 
shore,  and  with  tears  in  their  eyes,  they  waved  their 
liands  and  cried  out  "  Tava,  tava:"  farewell,  farewell. 
With  Mr.  Hickson's  Journal  the  missionary  com- 
mittee were  well  pleased,  and  their  view  of  the  matter 
is  given  in  the  Missionary  Report  for  1825,  p.  133 :  — 

"  Labrador  Mission. -Mr.  Thomas  Hickson  visited  the  Esqui- 
mau -ndians,  xrom  Newfoundland,  in  the  course  of  last  summer. 
He  found  there  a  people  truly  ♦  prepared  of  the  Lord ; '  and  from 


298         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


m 


his  favorable  report,  the  committee  have  resolved  on  the  appoint- 
ment of  a  missionary  to  that  poor  people  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Esquimau  Bay." 

At  the  district  meeting,  in  the  spring  of  1825,  the 
Labrador  Mission  was  discussed  at  great  length,  when 
some  of  the  brethren  thought  that  Mr.  Hickson  was 
too  sanguine,  and  the  success  of  a  mission  therd  was 
very  problematical.  To  satisfy  such  brethren,  and  .to 
meet  the  views  of  the  committee  on  this  point,  Richard 
Knight  was  appointed  to  visit  the  same  coast  that  Mr. 
Hickson  had  visited  the  previous  summer. 

Mr.  Knight  was  stationed  in  Brigus,  but  the  following 
entry  is  found  in  the  minutes  of  conference  for  1825 :  — 

«'  Mission  of  Rev.  Richard  Knight  to  the  Esquimau  In- 
dians. —  7n</tan  Mission,  Esquimau  Bay,  on  the  Labrador  Coast. 
Richard  Knight,  who  is  to  spend  the  summer  months  on  this 
station." 

Mr.  Knight's  station  was  mostly  supplied,  during  his 
absence,  by  the  writer,  who  was  then  stationed  in  the 
adjoining  circuit.  Port  de  Grave. 

Mr.  Knight  went  to  Labrador  in  the  month  of  June, 
1825,  in  a  vessel  belonging  to,  and  accompanied  by  his 
friend,  Charles  Cozens,  Esq.,  of  Brigus.     On  arriving 
at  Esquimau  Bay,  Mr.  Knight  was  left  to  prosecute 
the  business  of  his  mission,  while  Mr.  Cozens  ran  down 
the  coast  to  visit  the  Moravian  mission  stations.     He 
arrived  off  "  Nain"  on  a  Sabbath  morning,  and,  after 
asking  permission  to  land,  which  was  readily  granted 
by  the  missionaries,  he,  with  the  captain  of  his  vessel, 
went  directly  to  the  Moravian  Church,  in  which  divine 
service  had  already  commenced.     The  church  was  a 
plain,  neat  building,  of  about  thirty-six  feet  by  twenty- 
eight,,  with  one  aisle  in  the  middle ;  all  the  men  sitting 

e  women  on  the  other.     The 


on  one 


side,  and  ail 


MORAVIAN    MISSIONS.  299 

serVce  was  in  German,  which,  while  Mr.  Cozens  could 
not  unde,.ta„d,  yet  he  was  struck  with  the  order  and 
attention  of  the  Indians.     When  the  English  part, 
went  ,n,  so  engaged  were  the  Indians  in  worship,  that 
not  an  eye  was  observed  turned  toward  them;  and  at 
particular  pari,  of  the  sermon  the  countenance  of  t^e 
congregation  showed  that  the  word  powerfully  affected 
hen-  hearu ;  but  when  they  begaa  to  sing,  it  L  heal- 
enly.     There  were  four  violins  accurately  tuned  to  con- 
cert pitch,  and  played  by  the  Esquimaux;  the  tunes 
were  the  soiemn  old  German  Church  music  every  n"" 
son  sang,  and  eveiy  voice  was  in  unison,  and  while  tear, 
flowed  down  the  manly  cheeks  of  our  European  visitors, 
the  dark  physiognomy  of  these  sons  of  the  northern  wild 
was  brightened  with  heavenly  fire,  as,  with  heartfel 
smceri  y  their  lips  vibrated  with  the  praises   of  the 
great  Jehovah.  ' 

The  Moravian;  missionaries  are  plain  but  intelligent 
men,  and  their  wives  and  children  were  remarkable  for 
the  neatness  of  their  attire.  The  settlements  are  small 
villages,  each  having  its  church,  its  school-house,  and 
>ts  pai^onage.     They  have  fine  gardens  and  plenty  of 

and  all  the  children  of  suflicient  age  go  to  school.     The 
men  still  hunt  and  fish,  but  some  of  Ihem  have  learned 
to  be  carpenters  or  blacksmiths  ;  and  the  women  have 
been  taught  by  the  tedies  of  the  mission  to  sew  aiid  do 
household  work.     The  writer  has  eaten  a  piece  of  bread  vC 
;v  baked  on  the  Labrador  Mission.     Our  Moravian  breth-  ^ 
ren  have  labored  ong  and  hard  among  those  Indians, 
but  they  are  amply  rewarded  for  their  toil.     A  vesse 
from  Europe  annually  visits  the  coast,  to  bring  supplies 
to  a,e  missionaries  and  trade  with  the  natives. 

While  Mr.  Cozens  was  getting  information  from  the 


III 


'      II 


I  I 


II 

5,71  II 


800        NEWFOUNDLAND    AND  ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

German   missionaries,  which   hereafter  might  he   of 
great  use  to  the  English  missionaries,  Mr.  Knight  was 
faithfully  preaching  to  the  heathen  Esquimaux  m  the 
south,  and  making  every  observation  and  inquiry  on  all 
matters  bearing  upon  the  then  contemplated  Wesleyan 
Mission,  to  be  established  in  their  midst.     The  Indians 
heard  him  with  attention  as  he  preached  to  them,  through 
the  same  female  interpreter,  and  were  in  the  same  ec- 
stasy when  he  spoke  about  a  missionary  being  sent  to 
reside  among  them,  as  they  were  when  the  first  intima- 
tion thereof  had  been  given  to  them  in  the  previous 
summer  by  Mr.  Hickson.     Additional  interest  was  im- 
parted to  the  case  by  the  arrival  of  several  Christian 
Esquimaux  from  the  Moravian  establishments  m  the 
north,  who  told  their  brethren  of  the  benefits  which 
Christianity  would  confer  upon  them  in  this  world,  be- 
sides  the  hope  of  eternal  life  in  the  world  that  is  to 
come.      These  Christian   Esquimaux   had   learned  to 
sing  at   the  mission   stations,   and  Mr.  Knight,  who 
understood  music,  and  had  a  good  musical  taste,  said  of 
their  performance  :  "  I  have  heard  good  ringmg,  and  I 
have  heard  good  music  scientifically  performed ;  but  such 
a  perfect  chorus,  and  such  a  melody  of  voices,  never 
before  fell  upon  my  auricular  nerves.    I  gazed  and 
wept."    Mr.  Knight  was  cheered  with  the  prospect,  and, 
with  Mr.  Hickson,  was  decided  in  his  opinion  that  a 
mission  to  the  Esquimaux  should  at  once  be  established. 
By  that  opinion  the  committee  for  a  time  were  gmded. 
Hence  the  following  entry  in  their  report  for  1826, 
p.  97 :  — 

*'  Labrador.  -  The  Esquimaux  on  this  coast  were  again  visited 
last  summer.  Mr.  Knight,  who  was  appointed  to  that  service,  re- 
ports favorably  of  the  prospect  of  doing  good,  and. measures  wiU 
be  taken  to  establish  a  regular  mission." 


LABRADOR    MISSION, 


801 


The  Labra.  : ,  Mission  now  began  to  excite  consider- 
able  interest  in  England,  and  the  committee,  with  their 
wonted  Hberality  and  kindness,  sent  out  articles  for  build- 
ing  and  furnishing  a  mission-house,  to  a  large  amount. 
Had  there  been  no  more  exploring  for  a  mission,  and 
could  we  have   patiently  waited  until  the  committee 
had  found  a  Tolunteer  missionary  who  would  have  taken 
up  a  permanent  residence  among  the  Esquimaux,  the 
British  Conference  of  near  forty  years  ago  would  have 
had  Esquimau  Bay  in  their  long  list  of  '^  missions  to 
the  heathen  ; "  but  such  is  not  the  fact.     At  the  dis- 
trict meeting  of  1826,  George  Ellidge  was  selected  for 
the  Labrador  Mission.     It  was  an  untoward  selection. 
Mr.  Ellidge  objected  to  the  appointment  and  said  :  "  I 
will  not  offer  for  the  Labrador;  if  I  go,  you  send  me." 
From  that  moment  a  cloud  began  to  gather  over  the 
Esquimau  Indian  Mission,  which  continued  to  spread 
until  the  mission  was  obscured  in  its  density. 

Of  the  appointm'^nt  of  Mr.  Ellidge,  the  committee 
have  the  following   entry  in  their   Report  for   1827 
p.  110: —  ' 

"Labrador  Mission  -  Esquimau  Bay -Mr.  Ellidge. 
-  The  visit  of  Mr.  Knight,  during  several  months  of  the  last 
summer,  to  the  Eiquimau  tribes  of  the  Labrador  coast  was  equally 
satisfactory  with  that  of  Mr.  Hickson,  the  preceding  summer.    The 
natives  of  these  rude  shores  present  to  the  labors  of  the  self-deny- 
ing  servants  of  Christ,  who  may  take  up  their  residence  amonc 
them,  a  docility  and  susceptibility  of  feeling  on  subjects  of  religion 
highly  encouraging,  and  the  committee  therefore  directed  one  of 
the  brethren  in  Newfoundland  to  take  steps  to  establish  a  per- 
manent  mission  among  them  during  the  present  summer.     Mr. 
Ji^llidge  was  m  consequence  sent  by  the  chairman  of  the  New- 
lound  and  district,  and  the  committee  have  reason  to  be  satisfied 
with  the  person  chosen  for  this  arduous  work,  and  with  his  pros- 
pecte.     At  the  last  account,  he  was  building  a  house  for  a  winter 
residence,  to  the  great  satisfaction  of  the  natives." 
26 


802         NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

By  a  letter  from  Mr.  ElUdge,  we  find  that  he  has 
fixed  upon  Snook's  Cove,  on  the  Labrador  coast,  as  the 
place  for  commencing  a  permanent  mission  ;  and  that 
he  left  St.  Johns,  Newfoundland,  to  winter  there,  liav- 
ing  made  preparations  for  building  a  house,  and  obtain- 
ing stores  for  the  winter.  This  place  is  considered  to 
afford  most  conventent  access  to  the  Tiiuians. 

Mr.  Ellidge  remained  at  the   Labrador  during  the 
winter,  and  returned  to  Newfoundland  "in  the  autumn 
of  1827.     The  writer  was  then  on  the  Burin  Station. 
Of  the  views  of  Mr.  Ellidge  in  reference  to  the  Labra- 
dor Mission,  he  knew  nothing,  but  tlie  Esquimau  Mis- 
sion had  for  years  occupied  his  thoughts ;  and,  on  the 
23d  of  November,  1827,  he  wrote  to  the  committee, 
and  offered  his  serviees  permanently  to  reside  among 
the  Indians  as  a  Wesleyan  missionary.     This  offer  is 
noticed  in  the  Report  for  1828,  p.  107.     The  offer  was 
accepted  ;  and  in  the  conference  minutes  of  1828,  in 
the  list  of  stations,  is  the  following  appointment :  "  In- 
dian  Mission,  Esquimau  Bay,  on  the  Labrador  Coast, 
William  Wilson."     He  now  began  to  make   irrange- 
ments  to  enter  upon  his  Indian  Mission.     He  engaged 
a  man  to  go  with  him,  who  had  been  several  years 
among  the  Esquimaux,  and  who  understood  something 
of  their  language.     From  this  man  he  obtained  a  num- 
ber  of  Esquimau    words,  which  he  intended   as   the 
basis  of  a  grammar,  and  an  Esquimau-English  Lexicon. 
But  all  was  in  vain.     Mr.  Ellidge,  who  had  been  sent, 
reported   unfavorably.      The   chairman   and  brethren 
whom  he  consulted  were  astonished  at  the  incongruity 
between  the  reports  of  Messrs.  Hickson  and  Knight, 
and  the  report  of  Mr.  Ellidge.     They  therefore  sent 
another  brother,  Mr.  Bate,  to  occupy  the  station  until 
the  pleasure  of  the  committee  be  known.     LTpon  the 


t  he  liaa 
}t,  as  the 
and  that 
ere,  liav- 
\  obtain- 
idered  to 

[ring  the 

autumn 

Station. 

16  Labra- 

nau  Mis- 

d,  on  the 

immittee, 

e  among 

IS  offer  is 

offer  was 

1828,  in 

It:  "/w- 

hr  Coasty 

.irrange- 

!  engaged 

ral  years 

omething 

d  a  num- 

d   as   the 

Lexicon. 

3een  sent, 

brethren 

congruity 

1  Knight, 

efore  sent 

tion  until 

Upon  the 


LABIIADOR   MISSION. 


308 


report  of  tlie  brethren  EUidge  and  Bate,  the  commit- 

ee  came  to  the  conchision  that  the  mission  must  be 

abandoned.     The  ^.riter,  ahhough  appointed  there  by 

tlie  committee  and  conference,  never  sa^.  tiie  Labrador 

He  will  copy  the  last  two  notice,  of  the  Esquimau 
M  ss.on,  as  found  m  the  reports  for  1828  and  1829. 
Ihe  former  report  on  p.  10,  reads:  — 

"Labrador  Mission  -  Esquimau  Bav-Chas.  Bate 
-The  M,s.,o„  ,o  .he  E«,„i,„a„  tribe,  of  the  Labrador  eo  "t  h^ 
been  „„pedoU  by  diffieultie,,  which,  tho„gh  partially  CJen 
could  not  be  known  in  their  full  extent,  be  Je  the  mi^on  hrf 
teen  co„„„enced.    Mr.  EUidge.  agreeably  to  the  appointment^ 
the  committee,  proceeded  to  £«,„i„,a„  Bay.  anS  for  sev  r^ 
montta  labored  with  diligence  and  zeal,  and    nder  g^at  privt 
Uons  amongst  both  the  native,  and  the  settlers ;  but.  being  doub" 
ful  of  success,  from  the  scattered  state  of  the  differei^t  tribes  the^ 
migratory  mode  of  life,  and  the  paucity  of  their  nnmblr,  he  r^ 
urned  to  Newfoundland.    The  brethren  on  that  island,  nl^lZ 
to  abandon  the  mission,  immediately  resolved  to  send  Mr.  Bate  to 
occupy  the  station  until  the  pleasure  of  the  committee  be  known 
hmce  then,  letters  have  been  received  from  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Wilson, 
olTering.  in  the  true  spirit  of  Christian  enterprise,  to  leave  tr.^^ 
present  station,  and  proceed  to  the  Labrador  eoa^t.  if  appointed 
by  the  coniiiiitteo.     This  decision  they  are  now  expect bfr,^ 
eeive;  and  there  is  ground  to  hope  that,  under  the  bleslin,  rf 
God.  their  patient  and  persevering  labors  may  yet  cause  the 
•barren  wilderness  to  smile,  by  the  illuminating  and  cheerin,  in! 
fluenees  of  the  gospel  light  and  truth.'"  "o  "> 

In  the  Report  for  1859,  p.  132,  we  have  the  follow- 
ing  notice :  — 

"  The  Labrador  Mission  is  for  the  present  suspended,  principally 
m  consequence  o.  the  removal  of  the  Esquunau  tribes  from  the 
^a^tmto  the  interior  of  the  country,  and  their  general  dispe,. 


m 


k\. 


804         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

I 

Thns  ter-in«tea  the  British  Esquimau  Indian  Mis- 
sion, at'tef  V  hac  cost  some  hundreds  of  pounds  ;  and 
had  m}iP^^  '  til     attention  of  the  Christian  public  for 

some  tcight  or  ten  ^  i-ars. 

Th«  Conference  of  "  Eastern  BriUth  America  "  has 
itnipsd  "  I.abrador "  on  the  Hst  of  stations,  but  its 
missu/P  is  only  to  the  British  settlers  and  fishermen 
from  Newtb.iivUand.  We  hope,  hv  vever,  a  mission  to 
the  Indians  wiii  yet  be  commenced  on  the  coast,  or,  if 
need  be,  in  the  interior  ;  that  we  may  assist  our  Mora- 
vian brethren  in  rescuing  the  savages  on  British  soil, 
and  within  our  own  boundaries,  from  their  darkness 
and  heathenism. 


s. 

lian  Mis- 
ids  ;  and 
mblic  for 


ica  "  has 
,  but  its 
ishermen 
nission  to 
ist,  or,  if 
ur  Mora- 
itish  soil, 
darkness 


CHAPTER    Xri. 

THE  KKD  INDIANS -THEia  HABITS  -  KILLED  BY  WHITE  s  EN  -  ATTACK 
A  PARTY  OF  WHITE  MEN -CAPTAIN  BUCHAM  -  WARX  MAHOH - 
THREE  LOST  INDIANS  SEEN  — 8HANANDITH1T. 

THE  RED  INDIANS  OR  ABORIGINES  OF  NEWFOUNDLAND. 

WHA7T.VER  continent  or  large  island  the  mod- 
ern navigator  may  visit,  he  always  finds  human 
beings  there ;  beings  who,  like  hiiHself,  were  created  in 
the  image  of  God,  and  bought  with  the  "  precious  blood 
of  Christ."     Sometimes  he  finds  these  men  in  a  state 
of  civilization  that  excites  his  astonishment,  as  in  the 
case  of  the  inhabitants  of  Central  America,  of  China 
and  Japan,  and  sometimes  in  a  state  of  complete  bar- 
barism, as  the  natives  of  South  Africa,  Polynesia,  the 
Indians  of  the  North  American  forests,  and  the  original 
owners  and  proprietors  of  the  Island  of  Newfoundknd. 
He  wonders  by  what  educational  process  the  one  people 
became  so  elevated ;   and  why  it  was  that  the  other 
people  should  have  been  left  in  their  native  state.     This 
is  a  mistaken  view  ;  for  man  did  not,  in  early  times, 
rise  from  barbarism  to  civilization,  but  he  sank  from 
civilization  to  barbarism.     When  for  the  wicked  attempt 
of  (h(^  people,  on  the  "  plain  in  the  land  of  Shinah,"  to 
build  "  a  city  and  a  tower  whose  top  might  reach  unto 
heaven,"  "  the  Lord  scattered  them  abroad  from  thence 
upon  the  face  of  all  the  earth,"  it  is  certain  those  people 
were  a  civilized  people,  and  must  have  been  acquainted 
with  all  tiie  science  of  those  times.     Those  of  them 


26* 


(305) 


M: 


306 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS -MISSIONARIES. 


who  colonized  lands  abounding  in  the  necessaries  of  life, 
could  remain  in  large  bodies,  build  cities,  and  employ 
their  leisure  in  instructing  their  children  in  such  branches 
of  knowledge  as  had  engaged  their  Qwn  attention  and 
study.  But  those  who  wandered  into  distant  lands, 
where  the  soil  was  rocky  or  sandy ;  where  the  forests 
were  inpenetrable,  or  the  morass  impassable ;  where 
the  earth  yielded  but  a  scanty  supply  of  food  ;  where 
man  was  dependent  upon  the  chase  for  a  living ;  or 
where  a  large  portion  of  his  time  was  engaged  in  prep- 
aration for  the  coming  months  of  a  northern  winter ; 
where  the  inhabitants  were  but  few  in  number,  and  the 
families  isolated ;  and  where  science  was  not  needed,  — 
it  would,  as  a  consequence,  follow,  that  their  children 
would  be  instructed  in  little  else  than  what  was  re- 
quired to  gain  a  living;  and  thus  future  generations 
would  drop  into  that  state  of  barbarism  in  which  we 
find  them  in  the  present  day. 

The  aboriginal  inhabitants  of  Newfoundland  belong 
to  this  class.  They  are  of  American  origin,  and  seem 
to  be  of  the  mountaineer  type,  from  the  interior  of 
Labrador.  But  after  they  had  crossed  the  "  Straits  of 
Belle  Isle  "  to  their  island  home,  they  assumed  a  na- 
tional character,  and  in  time  became  diflFerent,  both  in 
habit  and  person,  from  their  supposed  ancestors. 

They  called  themselves  "  Boeothicks ;"  but  the  set- 
tlers called  them  "  Red  Indians  ;"  from  the  fact  of  their 
painting  their  bodies  and  their  wigwams  with  red  ochre. 
Red  ochre  is  found  on  the  north  shore  of  Conception 
Bay,  and  there  is  a  small  village  on  that  shore  called 
Ochre-pit  Cove;  from  a  tradition  that  the  Boeothicks  of 
that  region  used  to  get  their  red  ochre  from  that  place. 

There  is  something  fearful,  and  truly  humiliating,  in 
the  thought,  wherever  civilized  and  Christian  people,  so 


no. 


THE    RED    INDIANS. 


307 


called,  come  in  contact  with  savage  tribes,  those  tribes 
melt  away,  and  in  time  become  extinct.  The  reason  is 
obvious :  we  plunder  those  tribes,  and  we  give  them 
our  vices,  but  we  withhold  from  them  our  Christianity 
which  only  can  elevate,  bless,  and  save  them.  Thus  it 
was  with  the  Red  Indian  race. 

When  John  Cabot,  in  the  year  1497,  first  sighted 
Cape  Bonavista,  the  Red  Indians  possessed  the  entire 
island ;  their  canoes  glided  on  its  streams,  or  fished  on 
Its  shores,  while  they  had  no  fear  of  molestation  on 
their  huTiting-grounds,  or  apprehension  of  the  white 
man's  bullet,  as  they  passed  through  the  woods  to  their 
humble  wigwam  beside  the  placid  waters  of  the  inland 
lake.  But  the  Indians  had  large  quantities  of  what 
the  Europeans  called  wealth :  it  consisted  in  beautiful 
furs,  the  skms  of  animals  taken  in  the  chase. 

Newfoundland  is  one  of  the  best  hunting-grounds 
upon  the  earth.  Its  surface  contains  57,000  square 
miles.  Over  this  extensive  range  of  country,  not  one 
foot  was  cultivated,  or  a  building  of  any  kind  stood, 
save  the  wigwams  of  its  Indian  lords.  Here  was 
abundance  of  game  of  all  kinds  peculiar  to  northern 
latitudes,  — as  the  black  bear,  the  otter,  the  wolf,  the 
beaver,  the  red,  the  black,  and  the  silver  fox ;  the 
ponds  were  the  home  of  the  wild  goose,  for  that  bird 
breeds  there;  while  the  barrens  and  open  plains  were 
ulive  with  the  caribou  or  reindeer. 

With  the  skins  of  animals  taken  in  their  extensive 
hunting-grounds  were  the  Indians  clothed  ;  and  upon 
the  same  rich  furs  did  they  repose  at  night.  This  in- 
flamed the  cupidity  of  the  European  furriers.  Tliey 
might  have  carried  on  a  lucrative  trade  with  them ;  but 
no,  they  must  have  their  rich  furs  without  aiiv  compen- 
sation !    They  therefore  shot  them  down  in  cold  blood. 


\   '    Li-." 


N 


■ 


308         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS   MISSION  ARIES. 

and  took  possession  of  their  property.  The  Indians 
defended  themselves  as  best  thejr  could,  but  the  dart 
and  the  bow  and  arrow  were  their  only  weapons,  which 
■w^ere  useless  against  the  fire-arms  of  the  whites.  They 
were  driven  from  the  coast,  and  sought  refuge  on  the 
margin  of,  or  on  the  islands  in,  the  great  ponds  in  the 
interior.  Thither  they  followed  them,  or  employed  the 
Micmacs  to  follow  them,  until  the  whole  race  was  al- 
most annihilated.  No  one  thought  any  more  of  shoot- 
ing a  Red  Indian  than  of  Idlling  the  animal  with  the 
skin  of  which  the  Indian  was  clothed. 

It  was  about  the  commencement  of  the  present  cen- 
tury that  the  government  avowed  itself  on  the  side  of 
this  oppressed  race,  declared  the  Red  Indians  to  be 
British  subjects,  and  placed  them  under  the  protection 
of  British  law.  But  it  was  too  late  for  any  practical 
good ;  most  of  the  tribe  were  destroyed,  and  it  was 
impossible  to  inspire  confidence  in  any  white  man,  on 
the  part  of  those  that  yet  remained. 

A  place  called  Bloody  Bay,  on  the  north  side  of 
Bonavista  Bay,  has  often  been  named  to  the  writer  as 
a  place  where  frequent  encounters  had  occurred  with 
the  Red  Indians.  When  the  fishermen  would  be  look- 
ing for  bait,  or  getting  wood  fi-om  the  shore,  they  would 
be  assailed  by  a  shower  of  arrows,  and  be  obliged  either 
to  defend  themselves  with  their  fire-arms,  or  escape  in 
their  boats.  In  a  place  called  Cat  Harbor,  some  Indians 
came  one  night,  and  took  all  the  sails  from  a  fishing- 
boat.  The  next  day  they  were  pursued,  and  when 
seen,  were  on  a  distant  hill,  with  the  sails  cut  into  a 
kind  of  cloak,  and  daubed  all  over  with  red  ochre. 
Two  men  belonging  to  the  party,  who  had  gone  in  pur- 
suit of  the  Indians,  were  rowing  along  shore,  when 
they  saw  a  goose  swimming  in  the  iiarbor.     It  was  a 


.#1^ 


e  Indians 
t  the  dart 
ons,  which 
3S.  They 
ere  on  the 
nds  in  the 
ployed  the 
ce  was  al- 
}  of  shoot- 
1  with  the 

•esent  cen- 
:he  side  of 
ians  to  be 
protection 
y  practical 
ind  it  was 
te  man,  on 

th  side  of 
3  writer  as 
urred  with 
Id  be  look- 
they  would 
iged  either 
r  escape  in 
me  Indians 
1  a  fishing- 
and  when 
cut  into  a 
red  ochre, 
one  in  pur- 
lore,  when 
It  was  a 


THE    RED   INDIANS. 


309 


decoy,  for,  while  their  attention  was  arrested  with  the 
goose,  two  Indians  rose  up  from  concealment,  and 
discharged  their  arrows  at  them,  but  without  effect. 

The  government,  however,  now  determined  to  defend 
the  property,  as  well  as  the  lives,  of  these  people.     In 
1810,  an  instance  of  this  occurred  in  Green  Bay,  at 
the  head  of  Notre  Dame  Bay.     A  man  named  Wilt- 
shear,  and  his  crew,  were  returning  from  the  fishing- 
ground,  when,  rounding  a  point  of  land,  they  came  close 
upon  a  canoe  where  there  were  five  Red  Indians,  —  four 
men   and   one  woman.     The   Indians  were  alarmed, 
pulled  toward  the  shore,  jumped  on  the  beach,  and  ran 
to  the  woods.     The  men  took  the  canoe  and  carried  it 
home.     In  the  fall  of  the  year,  they  went  to  St.  Johns 
with  a  boat-load  of  fish,  and  took  the  canoe  with  them 
a&  u  present  to  the  governor,  but  they  were  taken  into 
custody,  and  put  in  prison,  charged  with  murdering 
the  Indians  and  stealing  their  canoe.     After  being  in 
prison  ten  days,  and  no  evidence  being  produced  against 
them,  they  were  acquitted.    The  imprisonment  of  Wilt- 
shear  had  a  good  effect,  for  we  never  after  heard  of  any 
depredations  being  committed  upon  the  Indians. 

A  few  years  later,  a  lieutenant,  afterward  Captain 
Buchan,  of  H.  M.  schooner  Pike,  the  same  person  who 
went  in  quest  of  the  north-west  passage,  was  commis- 
sioned by  the  governor.  Sir  John  Thomas  Duckworth, 
to  discover,  and,  if  possible,  bring  about  a  friendly  inter- 
course with  the  Red  Indians.  He  cruised  up  the  Bay 
of  Exploits,  Notre  Dame  Bay,  and  at  length  came  up 
with  an  encampment.  He  prevailed  upon  two  Indians 
to  come  on  board  his  vessel,  but  to  effect  this,  he  had 
to  leave  two  marines  with  the  Indians  as  hostages.  He 
removed  the  vessel  to  another  place  with  the  Indians 
on  board ;  and  when  he  returned  to  the  encampment, 


ill 


810         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

he  found  his  two  marines  with  their  heads  severed  from 
their  bodies,  and  all  the  Indians  had  fled.  The  two 
Indians  that  were  on  board  the  Pike  also  escaped,  and 
were  never  seen  afterward. 

In  the  winter  of  1819,  in  the  month  of  March,  ten 
armed  men  at  the  head  of  White  Bay  went  into  the 
country,  came  up  with  an  encampment,  and  brought 
away  the  only  person  they  found,  who  was  a  female. 
She  was  brought  to  St.  Johns,  for  the  government  had 
offered  a  reward  to  bring  a  Red  Indian  to  them,  hoping 
by  such  means  to  commence  a  friendly  intercourse  with 
the  tribe.  But  it  was  a  mistake.  This  Indian  woman, 
having  been  taken  in  the  month  of  March,  was  called 
Mary  March,  when  she  came  to  St.  Johns.  While 
there,  she  was  treated  with  every  kindness,  loaded  with 
presents,  and  then  taken  back  to  the  place  from  whence 
she  came. 

Red  Indian  Pond,  at  the  head  of  the  River  Exploits, 
was  the  home  of  Mary  March.  On  its  beach  had  she 
played  in  her  childhood ;  over  its  waters  had  she  paddled 
in  her  canoe ;  she  had  fished  in  its  streams,  and  when 
she  became  a  wife,  it  was  on  its  margin ;  she  had  been 
compelled  to  leave  her  husband,  and  her  hapless  infant, 
her  only  child,  to  die,  which  rumor  says,  it  did,  two 
days  after  the  ruffian  armed  band  of  white  men  had 
taken  her  captive,  and  carried  her,  her  friends  knew 
not  where.  To  take  a  savage  woman  captive,  and 
bring  her  away  by  force,  in  order  to  open  a  friendly 
intercourse  with  her  tribe,  was  a  clear  absurdity.  It 
therefore  failed.  It  were  wild  to  say,  she  was  better 
off  while  in  St.  Johns  than  in  her  own  country.  She 
could  not  think  so.  The  husband  and  child  of  Mary 
March  were  as  dear  to  her  as  can  be  the  partner  and 
child  of  the  titled  lady  ;  the  rough  wigwam  as  much  a 


lES. 

vered  from 

The  two 

leaped,  and 

March,  ten 
at  into  the 
[id  brought 
J  a  female, 
rnment  had 
lem,  hoping 
course  with 
ian  woman, 
,  was  called 
ns.  While 
loaded  with 
:om  whence 

er  Exploits, 
ich  had  she 
she  paddled 
3,  and  when 
lie  had  been 
pless  infant, 
it  did,  two 
te  men  had 
fiends  knew 
captive,  and 
1  a  friendly 
surdity.  It 
3  was  better 
antry.  She 
lild  of  Mary 
partner  and 
n  as  much  a 


THE    RED   INDIANS. 


811 


home  to  her  as  a  palace  is  to  the  prince ;  her  deer-skin 
dress  as  much  admired  as  the  costly  costume  of  the 
fashionable  belle ;  and  the  wood-bound  banks  of  the 
Red  Indian  Lake  were  as  beautiful,  in  her  eyes,  as  the 
rich  landscape  and  the  decorated  pleasure-park  are  to 
the  refined  taste  of  the  courtly  lord. 

The  manners  of  Mary  March,  while  in  St,  Johns, 
were  very  pleasing,  and  there  was  a  dignity  about  her 
which  led  to  the  conviction  that  she  was  the  wife  of  a 
Boeothick  chief. 

How  long  she  lived  after  her  return,  we  have  no 
means  of  knowing.     But  some  years  after,  an  explor- 
ing party  visited  the  Red  Indian  Lake,  and  at  its  east- 
ern extremity,  while  they  saw  no  people,  they  saw  evi- 
dence that  the  shores  of  that  lake  had  long  been  the 
central  and  undisturbed  rendezvous  of  the  Boeothick 
tribe.     They  f6und   a   number   of  their   wigwams,  a 
building  for  drying  and   smoking  venison,  and  a  log 
storehouse.      They   found   wooden  huts   which   were 
used  as  repositories  for  the  dead.     One  of  these  huts 
was  in  size  ten  feet  by  eight,  and  four  feet  high  in  the 
centre.      It  was  floored  with  squared  sticks,  and  roofed 
with  rinds,  --  well  secured  against  the  weather,  and  the 
intrusion   of  wild   beasts.     Two   full-grown   persons, 
wrapped  in  skins,  were  laid  on  the  floor.     It  was  com- 
puted that  these  persons  had  been  dead  not  more  than 
five  or   six  years.     But  what  excited  our   travellers 
most  was  the  discovery  of  a  white  deal  coffin,  contain- 
ing a  skeleton  neatly  shrouded  in  white  muslin.    This, 
it  would  seem,  was  the  remains  of  Mary  March.     If 
so,   the   white   muslin    must    have   been    among  the 
presents  she  received  when  in  St.  Johns.     Beside  her 
were  two  small  wooden  images  of  a  mai^  and  woman, 
supposed  to  represent  Mary  March  and  her  husband ; 


11 


N 


'? 


812         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSION AEIES. 

and  a  small  doll  supposed  to  represent  her  child.  In 
the  same  building  were  models  of  boats  and  canoes, 
also  a  bow  and  a  quiver  full  of  arrows,  with  two  fire- 
stones,  or  radiated  iron  pyrites,  with  which  the  Boeo- 
thicks  produce  fire  by  striking  them  together.  There 
were  also  a  number  of  culinary  utensils,  neatly  made 
of  birch  bark,  and  ornamented. 

It  was  the  arrival  of  Mary  March  in  St.  Johns  that 
induced  the  Wesleyan  missionary  committee  to  make 
the  following  entry  in  their  Report  for  the  year  1820, 
in  reference  to  the  Newfoundland  District :  — 

«  The  attention  of  the  public  has  lately  been  turned  to  the  abo- 
riginal  inhabitants  of  the  interior,  and,  should  any  opening  to 
these  long  isolated  tribes  occur,  the  brethren  are  directed  to 
avail  themselves  of  it  to  attempt  their  instruction." 

Four  years  after  Mary  March  was  brought  to  St. 
Johns,  three  others  of  the  tribe  were  captured  and 
brou-ht  to  the  same  place.  These  were  the  last  of  the 
Red'indians  ever  seen.  As  the  writer  himself  saw 
these  persons,  shook  hands  with  them,  and  tried  to  con- 
verse with  them,  he  will  give  the  account  from  his  own 

"  St.  Johns,  Newfoundland,  June  23,  1823. 
"Last  week  there  were  brought  tx)  this  town,  three  Red  In- 
dians, so  called,  who  are  the  aboriginal  inhabitants  of  th.s  island 
They  are  all  females,  and  their  capture  was  accomphshed  m  the 

following  manner.  ^        ^r.       ^-^v, 

«In  the  month  of  March  last,  a  party  of  men  from  the  neigh- 
borhood of  Twillingate  were  in  the  country  huntmg  for  fur.     ihe 
party  went  two  and  two  in  different  directions.     After  a  while 
one  of  these  small  parties  saw,  on  a  distant  hill,  a  man  coming 
toward  them.     Supposing  him,  while  at  a  distance,  ^  ^e  one  o 
their  own  party,  they  fired  a  powder  gun  to  let  their  friend  know 
their  whereabouts.     The  Red  Indian  generally  runs  at  the  lepo 
of  a  musket :  not  so  in  the  present  instance.     This  man  cpuckened 
his  pa".e  toward  them.     They  now,  from  his  gait  and  di-ess,  Ui^- 


child.  In 
id  canoes, 
1  two  fire- 
the  Boeo- 
r.  There 
atly  made 

Johns  that 
B  to  make 
year  1820, 

sd  to  the  abo- 
y  opening  to 
i  directed  to 

ight  to  St. 
ptured  and 
e  last  of  the 
himself  saw 
tried  to  con- 
•om  his  own 

ne  23,  1823. 
three  Red  In- 
of  this  island. 

nplished  in  the 

rom  the  neigh- 
iT  for  fur.  The 
After  a  while 
a  man  coming 
;e,  to  be  one  of 
eir  friend  know 
ns  at  the  report 
man  q^iiickened 
;  and  dress,  dis- 


THE    RED    INDIANS. 


813 


covered  that  he  was  an  Indian,  but  thought  he  was  a  Micmac 
and  therefore  still  felt  no  anxiety.  Soon  they  found  their"  -' 
t  ke  an,  ,,,,,, ,j„^,  that  the  stranger  was  one  of  the  R  d  In. 
itr  if-  T  ?PP'r^-S  in  a  threatening  attitude,  with  a 
large  club  m  h.s  hand.  They  now  put  themselves  in  a  posture 
of  defence,  and  beckoned  the  Indian  to  surrender.  Til  wTof 
no  use;  became  on  with  double  fury,  and  when  nearly  Tthe 
muzzle  of  tl.eir  guns,  one  of  the  men  fired,  and  the  Indian  M 
dead  at  h,s  feet.     As  they  had  killed  a  man  without  any" 

leave  the  huntmg-ground  and  return  home.     In  passing  through 
a  droke  of  woods  they  came  up  with  a  wigwam,  which  they  en 
ered  and  took  three  Indian  females,  which  have  since  been  found 

brought  rT-  'r  '"'^  '^"»'^^"-      '^^-^   «   they 

brought  to  their  own  home,  where  they  kept  them   until  they 

could  carry  them  to  St.  Johns,  and  receive  the  government  Z 
ward  fo  bnngmg  a  Red  captive  Indian.  The  parties  were 
brought  o  tnal  for  shooting  a  man,  but  as  there  was  „o  evidlnce 
agamst  them  they  were  acquitted.  eviaence 

der  JA'  '''"''i?  ^""\^"''  '^^'''  *"  government  house,  and,  by  or- 
der  of  bs  excellency  the  governor,  a  comfortable  room  in  th^  court- 
house  was  assigned  to  them  as  a  place  of  residence,  where  they 
were  trea  ed  with  every  possible  kindness.  The  mother  is  far 
advanced  m  life,  but  seems  in  good  health.  Beds  w^e  p  o  ided 
or  them,  but  they  did  not  understand  their  use,  and  they'Con 
he.  deer-skms  m  the  corner  of  the  room     One  of  the  daU- 

TlZ  M  T:""  "°"^'  *^'^  "°  "^^^^^"^-     Tbe  doctor  recom- 
mended  phlebotomy,  and  a  gentleman  allowed  a  vein  to  be  opened 
in  h,s  arm,  to  show  her  that  there  was  no  intention  to  kiU  her  ; 
bu    this  was  to  no  purpose;  for  when  she  saw  the  lancet  brough 
near  her  own  arm  both  she  and  her  companions  got  into  a  stL 

h  ir  V  '""^^T'  '^'  ''  ^''^'''     «-  -^-  -as  in  good 
health.     She  seemed  about  twenty-two  years  of  age.     If  she  had 

ever  used  red  ochre  about  her  person,  there  wa's  then  no  ^n 

Millo  T  T:  ""  ««™P^^^J«-  -a«  -arthy,  not  unlike  the 
Micmacs;  her  features  were  handsome ;  she  was  a  tall,  fine  figure, 
and  stood  nearly  six  feet  high;  and  such  a  beautiful  set  of  teeth 
I  do  not  know  that  I  ever  saw  in  a  human  head.  In  her  man- 
ners she  was  bland,  affable,  and  affectionate.  I  showed  her  my 
watch:  she  put  it  to  her  ear,  and  was  amusPd  with  its  tick  A 
gentleman  put  a  looking-glass  before  her,  and  her  grimaces  were 

^7 


(f  * 


814         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 

most  extraordinary ;  but  when  a  black-lead  pencil  was  put  into 
her  hand,  and  a  piece  of  white  paper  laid  upon  the  table,  she  was 
in  raptures.     She  made  a  few  marks  on  the  paper,  apparently  to 
try  the  pencil ;  then  in  one  flourish  she  drew  a  deer  perfectly ; 
and,  what  is  most  surprising,  she  began  at  the  tip  of  the  tail.     One 
person  pointed  to  his  fingers  and  counted  ten,  which  she  repeated 
in  (rood  English  ;  but  when  she  had  numbered  all  her  fingers,  her 
English    was  exhausted,  and  her  numeration,  if  numeration  it 
were,  was  in  the  Boeothick  tongue.     This  person,  whose  Indian 
name  is  Shanandithit,  is  thought  to  be  the  wife  of  the  man  who 
was  shot.     The  old   woman  was  morose,  and  had  the  look  and 
action  of  a  savage.     She  would  sit  all  day  on  the  floor  with  a 
deer-skin  shawl  on,  and  looked  with  dread  or  hatred  upon  every 
one  that  entered  the  court-house. 

"  When  we  came  away  Shanandithit  kissed  all  the  company, 
shook  hands  with  us,  and  distinctly  repeated  '  good-by.' 

"  June  24.  Saw  the  three  Indian  women  in  the  street.  The 
ladies  had  dressed  them  in  English  garb,  but  over  their  dress  they 
all  had  on  their,  to  them  indispensable,  deer-skin  shawl ;  and  Sha- 
nandithit, thinking  the  long  front  of  her  bonnet  an  unnecessary 
appendage,  had  torn  it  off",  and  in  its  place  had  decorated  her 
forehead  and  her  arms  with  tinsel  and  colored  paper. 

"  They  took  a  few  trinkets,  and  a  quantity  of  the  fancy  paper 
that  is  usually  wrapped  round  pieces  of  linen ;  but  their  great 
selection  was  pots,  kettles,  hatchets,  hammers,  nails,  and  other 
articles  of  ironmongery,  with  which  they  were  loaded  so  that  they 
could  scarcely  walk.  It  was  painful  to  see  the  sick  woman,  who, 
notwithstanding  her  debility,  was  determined  to  have  her  share 
in  these  valuable  treasures." 

After  a  few  weeks,  a  vessel  was  sent  to  take  the 
women  to  the  place  from  whence  they  came.  The 
ship's  boat  took  all  their  things  ashore;  then  the 
women  went,  with  great  reluctance  ;  but  when  they 
were  landed,  and  the  boat  was  about  to  leave  them, 
they  cried,  they  screamed,  and  rushed  into  the  water 
after  the  boat ;  they  would  not  be  left.  The  captain 
was  at  a  loss  what  to  do.  His  orders  were  to  put 
them  ashore,  and  leave  them.     He  felt  that  this  would 


THE   RED   INDIANS. 


315 


1  put  into 
e,  she  was 
arently  to 
perfectly ; 
tail.  One 
i  repeated 
ngers,  her 
leration  it 
)se  Indian 
!  man  who 
look  and 
lor  with  a 
pon  evex'y 

company, 

reet.  The 
dress  they 
;  and  Sha- 
nnecessary 
orated  her 

ancy  paper 
their  great 

and  other 
!0  that  they 
oman,  who, 

her  share 


take  the 
ne.  The 
then  the 
hen  they 
ive  them, 
the  water 
le  captain 
•e  to  put 
bhis  would 


be  cruel ;  he,  therefore,  determined  to  leave  them  in 
charge  of  the  person  who  brought  them  away,  until 
the  pleasure  of  the  government  was  known.  The  or- 
ders were  not  repeated,  so  the  women  remained.  Tiie 
sick  daughter  soon  died,  and  the  mother  did  not  live 
long  with  civilized  people ;  but  Shanandithit  survived 
hjr  about  two  years,  during  which  time  she  learned 
Ji^nghsh,  and  became  very  useful  as  a  house-servant. 

From  her  it  was  understood  that  her  tribe  was  re- 
duced  to  a  very  small  number ;  and  the  reason  she  and 
her  relations  would  not  be  left  on  the  beach  was  thai 
they  would  have  been  killed  by  their  own  people  as 
traitors,  as  they  had  been  among  the  white  people 
whom  they  considered  as  their  deadly  enemies.  ' 

The  writer  is  not  aware  that  any  Boeothicks  have 
since  been  seen.     Some  suppose  that  the  whole  race  is 
extinct;  others  that  they  have  escaped  across  the  Strait 
of  Belle  Isle  to  the  main  land  of  Labrador.     But  when 
It  is  remembered  that  there  are  thousands  of  square  miles 
of  land  in  the  interior,  on  which  no  foot  of  any  civil- 
ized man  has  ever  trod ;  that  there  are  numerous  large 
"  ponds,"  some  of  which  might  almost  be  called  inland 
seas ;  that  there  are  large  islands  in  those  lakes,  and 
immense  forests  on  their  margins,  that  we  have  never 
seen,  —  it  may  be  that  some  sequestered  spot  yet  con- 
tains a  few  of  this  persecuted  and  injured  race,  who  may 
hereafter  make  their  appearance  ;  which,  should  it  be 
so,  they  assuredly  will  be  treated  differently,  and  with 
greater  kindness  than  was  ever  shown  toward  their  an^ 
cestors.     What  a  fearful  thought  tliat  we,  who  have 
Christianity  and  the  Bible,  and  who  boast  of  our  high 
state  of  civilization,  should  have  destroyed  a  whole  peo- 
ple, who  did  us  no  harm,  until  we  commenced  to  mur- 
der them  and  take  their  property  I  • 


816 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


Tlicj  labor  the  Red  Indians  performed,  in  order  to 
catcli  deer  for  tlieir  subsistence,  was  very  great,  as  is 
evident  from  tbe  remains  of  the  deer-fences,  which 
were  standing  only  a  few  years  ago.  The  deer  is  gre- 
garious, and  the  herds  in  Newfoundland  sometimes  are 
said  to  contain  numbers  that  a|)j)ear  fabulous. 

During  tlie  summer  they  feed  on  the  mountains  of 
the  north,  and  may  be  found  in  large  numbers  on  the 
highlands  near  White  Bay,  or  about  the  latitude  of  50° 
or  51°  ;  but  in  the  autumn,  or  near  winter,  they  migrate, 
or,  as  the  hunters  say,  they  "  beat  to  the  south,"  and 
go  near  Ca})e  Kay  or  the  Bay  of  St.  George. 

To  catch  the  deer  in  their  southern  migration,  and 
to  provide  food   for  themselves  during  winter,  seems 
to  have  been  the  motive  of  the  Red  Indians  in  putting 
up  their  deer-fences.     Inland  from  Notre  Dame  Bay, 
and  far  to  the  north-west  of  Red  Indian  Pond,  a  doublei 
line  of  strong  fence  was  put  up,  which  at  its  commence- 
ment diverged  many  miles.     The  southern  fence  ran 
down  to  the  lake,  so  that  the  deer  should  tliui  come 
near  their  own  encampments,  and  the  northern  line  of 
fence  was  to  prevent  their  escape  near  the  shore.    This 
northern  fence  ran  down  to  the  River  Exploits,  along 
the  bank  of  which  another  fence  was  raised,  with  open- 
ings at  particular  places  for  the  deer  to  go  to  the  river 
and  swim  across  it.    These  openings  were  called  passes. 
A  number  of  men  now  got  within  the  fence,  and  from 
the  wider  enclosure  they  drove  them  to  the  narrower 
part,  or  to  passes  of  the  river  where  others  were  sta- 
tioned, and  thus  killed  the  deer  at  their  leisure.     These 
deer-lences  extend  thirty  miles  on  the  River  Exploits, 
and  how  far  in  the  interior  no  white  man  can  tell. 

The  present  state  of  the  Boeothick  tribe,  if,  indeed, 
any  of  that  tribe  is  in  existence,  is  calculated  to  teach 


;s. 

order  to 
eat,  us  is 
)S,  wiiifh 
er  is  gru- 
itimc'S  are 

ntains  of 
rs  on  the 
,de  of  50° 
{  migrate, 
nth,"  and 

ition,  and 
;er,  seems 
in  putting 
ime  Bay, 
,  a  doubU^ 
onnnence- 
fenee  ran 
hui  come 
rn  line  of 
)re.    This 
oits,  along 
vith  open- 
)  the  river 
led  passes, 
and  from 
narrower 
were  sta- 
.'e.    These 
L'  Exploits, 
I  tell, 
if,  indeed, 
3d  to  teach 


THE    RED    INDIANS. 


817 


us    hat  c'lv.hzation  an.I  education,  abstracted  from  the 
Bible  ami  pure  Christianity,  can  never  rai«e  a  sava<.e 
people  tron,  their  de;.ra<hition,  or  place  them  in  thc^r 
proper  position  a.nong  the  tribe,  or  nations  of  the  earth. 
However  c.vihzation  may  distinguisli  the  nation  that 
lus  It,  yet  It  does  not  possess  the  elements  recpiisite  for 
tlie  amehoration  of  the  human  race.     It  may  make  a 
people  proud  and  boastful,  and,  as  knowledge  i«  power, 
It  may  subdue  surrounding  nations,  and  impose  its  lawl 
upon  t liem  ;  but  it  lacks  true  philanthropy,  and  has  no 
djsposi  Km  to  nnpart  its  knowledge  to  other  nations,  or 
place  them  m  a  position  to  rival  themselves  in  wealth, 
intelligence,  or  power. 

The  world  has  never  heard  of  any  civilized  heathen 
nation,  who  founded  hospitals  for  their  own  sick,  free 
schools  for  the  instruction  of  the  children  of  their  own 
poor,  benevolently  manumitting  the  slaves  in  their  own 
land,  sending  teachers  to  instruct  other  people  in  their 
phi  osoplncal  theories,  colporteurs  to  circulate  their  sa- 
cred books,  or  missionaries  to  propagate  their  faith  or 
system  of  theology  in  distant  lands.  All  this  is  pecu- 
liar to  Christianity.  ^ 

Rome,  in  the  height  of  her  civilization  and  power 
conquered  the  savage  hordes  of  the  north;  but  they 
continued  savage  until    the   missionaries  of  the  cross 
went  among  them,  and  proclaimed  the  verities  of  gos- 
pel salvation     The  same  great  nation  visited  the  coasts 
ot   Albion,   first   for   commercial   purposes ;    next  she 
ormed  settlements  there,  and  then  subdued  the  country 
by  the  number  and  power  of  her  legions.     But  it  was 
the  story  of  Gethsemane  and  Calvary  that  overthrew  the 
l^ru.dism  of  our  ancestors,  gave  us  our  civilization,  our 
constitution,  our  laws,  and  our  liberty.    Ever  since  the 
lime  that  Vasco  de  Gama  found  the  way  to  India,  South 


i  •: 


818         NEWFOUNDT.ANn    AND    IT3    MISSION  A  HIES. 


Africa  Ims  been  constantly  visited  by  men  of  education 
and  science  ;  and  these  men  of  science  told  their  breth- 
ren, in    Europe,  that  Hottentots  were  so  stupid  and 
brutish,  tliat   you  might  as  well  think  of  making^  a 
turnpike  to  the  moon  as  attempt  their  instruction.    But 
Christian  missionaries    have    instructed,  civilized,  and 
tauc-ht  them  the  way  to  heaven.    Scientitic  men  visited 
the  Polynesian  Isles  of  the  soutli,  and  were  terrified 
with  the  cannibalism  of  the  people ;  but  the  heralds  of 
the  cross  went  there  with  the  liible  in  their  hands  and 
the  love  of  God  in  their  hearts ;  and  with  these  they 
braved  the  club  and  the  oven  of  these  worst  of  all  sav- 
ages, destroyed  their  unnatural  appetite,  taught  them  to 
read,  gave  them  a  code  of  laws  based  upon  the  Bible, 
have  brought  them  to  a  knowledge  of  the  truth,  and 
now  they  are  saved  and  in  their  right  mind. 

Had  the  first  visitors  and  settlers  on  the  shores  of 
Newfoundland  carried   the  Bible  with  them,  and  in- 
vited the  Christian  missionary  to  accompany  them,  in- 
stead of  poisoning   the  natives  with   their  fire-water, 
slaying  them  with  their  gunpowder,  or  making  them 
more  corrupt  with  their  own  immoralities,  the  noble 
Boeothic  race  would  now  have  been  a  happy  people, 
either  quietly  transacting  their  business  by  the,  sea-shore, 
with  foreign  residents,  or  prosecuting  their  hunting  in 
the  interior ;  while  the  hills  and  the  vales,  the  woods 
and  the  lakes,  would  have  resounded  with  their  song 
of  praise ;  and  thus  would  the  words  of  the  prophet  in 
this  place  have  been  verified :    "  The  wilderness  and 
the  solitary  place  shall  be  glad  for  them,  and  the  desert 
shall  rejoice  and  blossom  as  the  rose." 


lucation 
ir  brcth- 
|)i(l  and 
akini;  a 
m.    But 
zed,  and 
n  visited 
terrified 
3ral(is  of 
inds  and 
ese  thev 
:'  all  sav- 
t  tliein  to 
le  Bible, 
•utli,  and 

ihores  of 
and  in- 
tliem,  in- 
re-water, 
ing  them 
the  noble 
y  people, 
sea-shore, 
lunting  in 
the  woods 
heir  song 
>rophet  in 
rness  and 
the  desert 


CHAPTER    Xlil. 

■TATION8  FOIl  1825—  CONKKUKNCE  DEATII-HOLL  —  WILLIAM  CKOSCOMBR 
—  SIMEON  NOALL  —  CHAUI.EH  BATE  —  JOHN  COKLKTr  —  MKKCIKUt. 
PREHUKVATION  OK  THE  WHITKH  —  bTATIONS  FOK  18'28  —  JOHN  TOMP- 
KINS —  JOHN  HMITIIIKH  —  JOSEPH  UUTTBKWUKTH  —  DK.  TOWNLKT 
•—  MISSIUMAUY  INCOME  rolt  1828, 

THE  following  is  the  list  of  stations  as  appears  in 
the  minutes  for  1825  :  — 

St.  Johns  —  William  Croscombe,  Ninian  Barr. 

Carbonkau  — John  Pickavant. 

Harbou  Grack  — John  Corlett. 

Black  Head  and  Western  Bay  —  John  Haigh. 

Island  Covk  and  Perlican—  Simeon  Noall. 

Port  de  Grave—  William  Wilson. 

Brious  —  Richard  Knight. 

Trinity  Bay  — Adam  Nightingale,  Charles  Bate. 

BoNAVisTA  AND  Catalina  —  John  Boyd. 

Grand  Bank  and  Fortune  Bay  — George  Ellidge. 

Burin —  William  Ellis. 

Indian  Mission,  Esquimau  Bay,  on  the  Labrador 
Coast.  —  Richard  Knight  is  to  spend  the  summer  months 
on  this  station.  William  Croscombe,  Chairman. 

Wesleyan  missions  now  began  to  excite  considera- 
ble interest  throughout  the  Christian  world  ;  and  many 
wealthy  persons  contributed  largely  for  their  support  and 
extension.  In  the  year  1818,  died  that  extraordinary, 
that  saintly  man,  Robert  Carr  Brackenbury,  Esq.,  of 
Raithby  Hall,  Lincolnshire.  This  gentleman  gave  up 
the  pleasures  of  a  splendid  mansion  for  the  life  of  a 
Methodist  preacher.     He,  with  Dr.  Clark,  became  mis- 

(319) 


■t , 


^ 


■rJ 


320 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


sionaries  in  the  Island  of  Jersey.  He  gave  liberally  of 
his  wealth,  while  he  lived,  to  the  cause  of  God  ;  and  at 
his  death,  he  bequeathed  the  sum  of  XIOOO  to  the  Mis- 
sionary Society.  The  same  year,  a  lady  died  in  Ireland, 
Miss  Houston,  who  gave  a  legacy  of  £2000  to  the 
same  cause.  But  the  most  princely  sum  the  committee 
had  hitherto  received  was  a  benefaction  of  X  10,000 
from  the  Rev.  T.  Dodwell,  Vicar  of  Welby,  in  Lin- 
colnshire. This  gentleman  had  been  a  personal  friend 
of  Mr.  Wesley,  and  a  warm  friend  to  our  missions. 
While  the  missions  were  under  the  direction  of  Dr. 
Coke,  he  contributed  liberally  to  their  support ;  and 
after  the  death  of  the  doctor,  he  sent  his  contributions 
to  the  anniversary  meetings  of  the  different  missionary 
societies  held  in  his  neighborhood. 

The  committee,  in  their  circular  for  1822,  gave  +^  is 
instruction  to  their  missionaries  :  '"  We  again  call  the 
attention  of  the  brethren  to  the  necessity  of  forming 
missionary  societies,  in  aid  of  our  funds,  on  every  foreign 
station  where  practicable  ;  and,  where  that  is  not  prac- 
ticable, at  least  to  make  a  public  collection  annually,  for 
this  purpose,  in  all  the  congregations ;  taking  that  oc- 
casion to  inform  the  people  of  the  extent,  state,  and 
prospects  of  our  missions,  and  to  interest  them  in  the 
universal  establishment  of  the  kingdom  of  Christ  in  all 
the  earth." 

This  important  instruction  was  soon  observed  ;  for  in 
the  year  1824,  contributions  flowed  into  the  missionary 
exchequer  from  nearly  all  the  foreign  districts.  The 
report  for  this  year  credits  the  Newfoundland  District 
with  X59  5s.  7cZ.,  and  the  Nova  Scotia  District  with 
j£250 15s.  2d.  The  latter  was  a  much  larger  sum  than 
was  raised  that  year  in  any  foreign  district  within  the 
range  of  Methodism. 


BS. 

berally  of 
>d  ;  and  at 
3  the  Mis- 
in  Ireland, 
00  to  the 
committee 
£10,000 
y,  in  Lin- 
•nal  friend 
■  missions, 
ion  of  Dr. 
port ;  and 
itributions 
missionary 

gave  t'  is 
n  call  the 
)f  forming 
jry  foreign 
3  not  prac- 
nually,  for 
g  that  oc- 
state,  and 
lem  in  the 
hrist  in  all 

ed ;  for  in 
missionary 
icts.  The 
id  District 
strict  with 
'sum  than 
within  the 


THE   DEATH-ROLL. 


321 


THE  CONFERENCE  DEATH-ROLL. 

The  fourth  question  asked  at  every  conference  is 
"  What  ministers  have  died  since  the  last  conference  ?  " 
Immediately  all  business  ceases,  and  the  most  solemn 
attention  is  paid  while  a  sketch  of  the  life  of  each 
.ninister,  whose  death  has  occurred  since  the  last 
conference,  is  read.  This  is  called  "the  death-roll." 
Sometimes  this  roll  is  short;  at  other  times  it  is  very 
long.  The  greatest  number  of  deaths  which  the  East- 
ern British  American  Conference  has  had  to  record  in 
one  year  was  four;  but  the  British  Conference,  in 
1860,  had  thirty-one  deaths  in  Great  Britain,  four  in 
Ireland,  and  three  on  the  foreign  stations,  —  making  a 
total  of  thirty-eight  ministers,  belonging  to  the  British 
and  Irish  conferences,  who  were  called  away  in  one 
year. 

As  the  roll  is  read,  while  every  preacher  endeavors 
to  acquiesce  in  the  divine  will,  yet  they  are  but  men, 
and  feel  as  men  ;  therefore,  as  each  name  is  announced, 
the  brethren  will  be  more  or  less  affected  as  the  de- 
ceased had  filled  his  position  in  the  conference.     To 
one  he  was  a  spiritual   father ;   to  another   a  special 
friend,  a  companion,  and  more  than  a  brother  :    to  one 
he  was  a  kind  superintendent;    to  another  he  was  a 
zealous,  faithful,  and  devoted  colleague.     In  years  past 
he  might  have  instructed  the  conference  by  the  pro- 
fundity of  his  thought ;  directed  it  by  the  wisdom  of 
his  counsels  ;  defended  it  from  its  enemies   by  the  pow- 
er of  his  pen  ;  or  charmed  it  with  liis  eloquence.      He 
might  have  been  a  president,  — when  the  junior  breth- 
ren would  think,  with  deep  gratitude,  of  the  important 
advice  he  gave  to  them  in  his  ordinary  charge.     Every 
one  feels  the  loss ;  but  all  believe  the  departed  was  a 
man  of  God.     Many  eyes  will  overflow  with  tears  of 


w 


822         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


gratitude  at  the  statement  that  the  departed  successfully 
combated  "  man's  last,  man's  latest  foe  ;  "  that  he  felt 
the  supporthig  power  of  that  rehgion  which  he  had 
preached  to  others ;  and  that  he  died  in  peace  ;  then 
with  hearts  oppressed  with  sorrow,  the  brethren  rise, 
and  with  lips  still  quivering,  and  voice  still  faltering, 
unite  and  sing  those  beautiful  words  of  Charles  Wesley, 
found  on  page  399  :  — 

"  Oh,  may  I  triumph  so, 

Wlieu  all  my  warfare's  past, 
And  dyin}?,  find  my  ktost  foo. 
Under  my  feet  at  last  1 " 

In  addition  to  those  already  named,  the  death-roll 
records  the  following  honored  brethren  :  — 

1.  William  Croscombe,  who  was  a  native  of  Tiver- 
ton, in  Devonshire,  England,  and  was  born  on  the  19th 
of  February,  1789.  In  the  eighteenth  year  of  his  age, 
he  became  acquainted  with  the  Wesleyans,  was  deeply 
convinced  of  his  guilty  state,  and  at  a  Sabbath  morning 
prayer-meeting  was  enabled  to  rejoice  in  the  liberty  of 
the  sons  of  God.  A  few  months  after  his  conversion, 
he  becran  to  exhort  others  "  to  flee  from  the  wrath  to 
come ; "  and,  having  exercised  his  talents  for  a  short 
time  as  a  local  preacher,  he  was  received  into  the  reg- 
ular work,  at  the  conference  of  1810,  and  as  the 
junior  preacher,  was  appointed  to  the  Shepton-Mallet 
Circuit,  in  the  Bristol  District. 

The  next  year  he  offered  for  the  foreign  work,  and 
was'a})pointed  to  what  was  then  called  the  Nova  Sco- 
tia, New  Brunswick,  and  Newfoundland  District,  of 
which  William  Black  was  chairman.  Mr.  Croscombe 
arrived  at  Halifax  on  the  12th  of  April,  1812.  On 
the  way,  the  vessel  put  into  St.  Johns,  Newfound- 
land.    St.   Johns  was  not  then  a  Wesleyan  Circuit, 


ES. 


uccessfully 
hut  he  t'tilt 
ch  he  had 
thun 


lace 


tlireu  rise, 
1  faltering, 
es  Wesley, 


!  death-roll 

!  of  Tiver- 
m  the  19th 
of  his  age, 
was  deeply 
,th  morning 
e  liberty  of 
conversion, 
lie  wrath  to 
for  a  short 
ito  the  reg- 
and  as  tlic 
ipton-Mallet 

I  work,  and 

Nova  Sco- 

District,  of 

,  Croscombe 

1812.     Oil 

Newfound- 

rau  Circuit, 


WILLIAM    CROSCOMBE. 


323 


but    he   brethren   Ellis   and   Mc'    ouell    occasionally 
preached  there,  and  Mr.  Croscon.be,  during  his  brief 
sojourn,  also  preaclied  to  that  people  the  words  of  life 
and  salvation      He  was  then  in  his  twenty-third  year: 
us  hair  was  light,  and  his  appearance  very  youthful 
he  preached  with  considerable  effect,  and  his  style  and 
maffner  so  arrested  public  attention,  that  they  called 
him  the      eloquent  white-headed  boy."     He  labored 
seven  years  in  the  lower  provinces,  when,  his  health 
faduig,  he  returned  to  England,  and  travelled  in  Not- 
^ngham  two  years ;  af4er  which  he  was  appointed  to 
Gibraltar,  where  his  labors  were  greatly  blessed  both 
to  the  army  and  also  among  civilians.     His  next  ap- 
pointment was  St.  Johns,  Newfoundland.     The  remi- 
niscences of  the  friends  in  that  place  called  to  mind  the 
"white-headed  boy,"  who  had,  twelve  years   before, 

mentt  tb         "'*  '"  T'^  '""'P''"'^-     His  appoint: 
ment  as  their  minister,  therefore,  was  hailed  with  pleas- 

ure,  and  a  crowded  house  greeted  him  on  his  arrival. 
He  remained  in  St.  Johns  three  years,  during  which 
time   he  filled  the  office  of  chairman  of  the  district 
t'l        t  "°'r""Py  ""y  o'her  circuit  in  Newfoundland 
Jan  St.  Johns.     In  1828,  he  came  a  second  time  to 
Nova   Scotia ;   and  after  seven  years,  he  removed  to 
Canada,  where  five  more  years  of  his  useful  life  were 
spent  m  the  same  delightful  employment  of  calling  sin- 
ners to  repentance.     In  the  year  1838,  he  came  again 
to  Nova  Scotia  and  continued  to  labor  until  the  year 
18S1,  when  infirmity  compelled  him  to  retire  from  ac- 
tive work  and  take  a  supernumerary  position.     After 
he  became  a  supernumerary  he  preached  occasionally 
as  his  strength  enabled  him.     The  last  sermon  he  ever 
preached  was  on  Sabbath,  December  31st,  1851,  from 
— _  !,,  i^,_    J, or  what  IS  your  life?     It  is  even 


11  i 


i! 


824         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


i 


11. 


a  vapor  that  appeareth  for  a  little  time,  and  then  van- 
isheth  away."  Shortly  after  returning  from  the  house 
of  God  he  was  seized  with  paralysis,  which  seemed  to 
keep  him  on  the  verge  of  eternity  for  several  months. 
From  the  severity  of  this  attack,  however,  he  rallied, 
but  his  feebleness  was  very  great.  He  bore  his  suffer- 
ings with  much  patience  and  serenity  of  mind ;  he  %lt 
abiding  peace ;  praise  dwelt  upon  his  lips,  and  his  con- 
versation invariably  turned  upon  the  things  of  God ; 
the  salvation  of  God  was  his  only  theme,  and  the  blood 
of  Christ  his  only  hope.  On  the  night  of  the  20th  of 
August,  1859,  he  fell  asleep  in  Jesus,  in  the  seventy- 
first  year  of  his  age  and  the  fiftieth  of  his  ministry. 

Mr.  Croscombe  successively  occupied  the  chairman- 
ship of  the  Newfoundland,  Nova  Scotia,  and  Canada 
districts  ;  and  while  his  prudence  and  integrity  secured 
for  him  the  full  confidence  of  the  missionary  com- 
mittee, his  gentlemanly  deportment  and  his  Christian 
kindness  gained  for  him  the  love  of  all  his  brethren, 
and  the  esteem  of  the  people.  He  v/as  a  faithful  and 
kind  friend,  cheerful  in  his  manner;  his  piety  was 
simple  and  ardent,  and  he  conscientiously  endeavored 
to  enjoy  all  those  blessings  and  that  fiiU  salvation 
which  he  preached  to  others. 

He  labored  much  to  make  his  pulpit  duties  accept- 
able to  his  congregation,  and  he  seldom  failed  in  his  ob- 
ject. His  preaching  was  plain,  scriptural,  and  earnest. 
Pastoral  visitation  was  his  delight,  and  by  it  he  en- 
deared himself  to  all  classes  who  attended  his  ministry. 
He  was  more  or  less  successful  in  every  circuit  where 
he  travelled,  and  in  several  places  extensive  revivals 
were  the  result  of  his  faithful  and  zealous  labors. 

2.  Simeon  Noall  was  a  native  of  Cornwall,  entered 
the  Weslevan  m.inistrv  at  the  conference  of  1824,  and 


ES. 

then  van- 
the  house 
seemed  to 
a,l  months, 
he  rallied, 
his  sufFer- 
d;  he^elt 
id  his  con- 
is  of  God; 
I  the  blood 
he  20th  of 
le  seventy- 
inistry. 

chairman- 
id  Canada 
ity  secured 
nary  com- 
s  Christian 
s  brethren, 
aithful  and 

piety  was 
endeavored 
1   salvation 

Lties  accept- 
d  in  his  ob- 
md  earnest. 
y  it  he  en- 
ds ministry, 
rcuit  where 
live  revivals 
ibors. 

^all,  entered 
f  1824,  and 


CHARLES   BATE. 


325 


came  out  a  missionary  to  Newfoundland.     He  labored 
on  the  island  for  five  years  with  very  great  acceptance. 
He  was  kmd  and  affectionate  in  his  manner,  faithful 
zealous,  and  successful  in  his  pastoral  duties;  he  was  a 
good  platform  speaker;   his  preaching  was  plain,  yet 
eloquent,  earnest,  and  highly  scriptural ;   his  sermons 
were  rich   in   evangelical  truth,  often  delivered  with 
telling  power,  and  in  prayer  he  was  truly  mighty.     In 
the  youth  of  our  church  he  felt  deep  interest,  and  was 
incessant  m  his  efforts  to  instruct  them  and  lead  them 
to  God.     Many  were  the  seals  to  his  ministry  in  dif- 
ferent   parts  of  the  island ;  but  his  constitution  was 
too  feeble  to  endure  the  hardships  attendant  upon  a 
missionary  life ;  he  therefore  returned  to  England  in 
the  year  1829.     By  breathing  his  native  air,  his  health 
was  much  improved ;  so  that  he  labored  in  different 
circuits  for  nineteen  years  with  the  same  esteem  and 
success  that  he  had  in  Newfoundland.     He  became  a 
supernumerary  in  1848,  in  the  Hayle  Circuit.     He 
contmued  to  employ  his  remaining  strength,  until  he 
was  suddenly  called  away  from  suffering  to  rest,  on  the 
4th  of  August,  1850,  in  the  fifty-sixth  year  of  his  age, 
and  the  26th  of  his  ministry. 

3.  Charles  Bate  was  received  on  trial  a  Weslevan 
minister  at  the  conference  of  1824,  and  came  to  New- 
foundland in  the  autumn  of  that  year.  He  labored 
on  the  island  for  nine  years,  and  in  1833,  he  removed 
to  St.  Kitts^  one  of  the  West  India  Islands,  and  in 
the  Antigua  District.  He  labored  in  the  West  Indies 
eight  years,  and  died  in  great  peace  at  Tortola  on  the 
16th  of  December,  1841. 

In  the  above  list  of  stations  there  are  thirteen  names, 
but  the  reader  must  understand  there  were  not  thirteen 
preacliers    then   on  the  Newfoundland  District.     Mr 

28 


■■MiiBH 


326 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


Barr  was  removing,  and  his  English  appointment  was 
not  then  fixed  ;  and  one  man  was  retained  in  order  to 
supply  the  Labrador.  The  number  of  our  men  and 
the  number  of  our  stations  were  eleven ;  the  same  in 
1825  as  they  were  in  1817. 

Of  the  preachers  who  constituted  the  Newfoundland 
District  in  1825,  the  death-roll  records  seven  ;  two  are 
laid  aside  by  infirmity,  and  four  only  are  now  (1864) 
in  the  active  work.  The  men  who  are  still  spared  to 
labor  in  their  Master's  vineyard  are  John  Boyd,  John 
Corlett,  George  Ellidge,*  and  the  writer. 

We  have  previously  spoken  of  John  Boyd,  and  of 
the  two  other  brethren  we  give  the  following  infor- 
mation :  — 

George  Ellidge  was  received  on  trial  as  a  Wes- 
leyan  minister  in  the  year  1822;  he  travelled  two 
years  in  England  when  he  was  appointed  to  labor  in 
Newfoundland.  He  continued  on  that  mission  for 
twenty-four  years,  and  returned  to  England  in  the 
year  1848 ;  since  which  time  he  has  .continued  to  la- 
bor in  his  native  land.  In  1863,  his  name  stands  as 
superintendent  of  the  Attleborough  and  New  Bucken- 
ham  Circuit  in  the  Norwich  and  Lynn  District. 

John  Corlett  commenced  the  itinerant  in  1824, 
and  was  stationed  at  Kendal,  in  the  Carlisle  District. 
He  came  to  Newfoundland  in  1825,  and  labored  there 
with  much  acceptance  for  five  years. 

In  the  summer  of  1826,  Mr.  Corle  t  made  a  mission 
tour  to  the  north,  and  visited  Green's  Pond,  which 
lies  some  forty  miles  to  the  north  of  Bonavista,  and 
was  then  our  most  northern  station.  That  region  of 
country  was  then  in  a  fearful  state  of  demoralization. 

*  Since  writing  the  above,  notice  has  been  received  of  the  death  of  the 
Bev.  George  Ellidge. 


;s. 

merit  was 
I  order  to 
men  and 
!  same  in 

x)undland 
;  two  are 
.V  (1864) 
spared  to 
)yd,  John 

d,  and  of 
ing  infor- 

s  a  Wes- 
elled  two 
»  labor  in 
ission  for 
id  in  the 
led  to  la- 
stands  as 
r  Bucken- 
ct. 

in  1824, 
i  District. 
>red  there 

a  mission 
id,  which 
,vista,  and 

region  of 
•ralization. 

death  of  the 


JOHN     CORLETT. 


827 


There  was  indeed  an  Episcopal  Church,  and  one  of  the 
readers  belonging  to  the  Society  for  the  Propagation  of 
the  GosiK.  in  Foreign  Parts  ;  but  swearing,  drunken- 
ness.  Sabbath-breaking,  and  gross  immorality  were 
carried  to  such  an  extent  that  Green's  Pond  was  often 
called  the  Sodom  of  the  North.  Mr.  Corlett  in  the 
journal  of  his  visit  says,  —  Sunday,  July  2,  1826,— 

"We  landed  this  morning  at  Green's  Pond,  about  four  o'clock; 
after  lymg  down  to  rest  for  an  hour  and  a  half,  I  was  quite  re- 
freshed, and  went  to  inform  the  principal  inhabitants  of  Green's 
Pond  what  were  my  intentions  in  visiting  them.  I  walked  through 
the  harbor  to  see  what  the  people  were  doing,  and  found  as  I  had 
previously  heard  that  the  merchant's  stores  were  all  open  I  saw 
some  purchasing  shoes,  others,  fishing-materials,  provisions,'  &c.  In 
a  word,  I  found  that  Sunday  is  what  may  emphatically  be  called 
the  market  day  at  Green's  Pond.     The  people  are  not,  however, 

S^K^^u  ?      ^\  ""'^^  '"'  '"'''''''  ^  P''^^^^"^^  the  fishery  on  the 
babbath  day ;  although  tl^ere  are  individuals  who  send  their  boats 
out  on  Sunday,  as  they  say,  to  be  ready  on  Monday.     I  was  in- 
formed  by  the  most  respectable  persons  residing   in  Pond,  that 
during  the  winter  season  it  is  a  very  common  and  almost  general 
thmg  to  go  shooting  seals  and  birds  on  the  Sabbath  day      The 
people  who  were  not  employed  were  standing  or  lying  on  the 
rocks,  rehearsing  the  news,  and  the  children  in  groups  playing  _ 
in  truth  and  reality,  without  any  person  to  care  ibr  Their  Lis. 
I  resolved,  as  I  could  not  preach  in  the  church,  that  I  would 
preach  at  the  church-door  as  the  people  came  out.    But  there  was 
no  church  service.     I  presume  the  person  who  read  the  prayers 
had  been  counselled  to  dispense  with  praying  on  that  day.     The 
weather  proving  unfavorable,  I  therefore  preached  in  one  of  Mr 
Garlands  stores.     A  more  tumultuous  company  I  never    saw 
assembled  together.     I  almost  despaired  of  arresting  their  atten- 
tion;  but  after  singing  a  few  verses,  I  prayed  and  received  no 
further  interruption  except  from  a  few  sons  of  Bacchus,  who  were 
within;    and    a    few  of  the   'baser    sort,'  who    stood   without 
blaspheming.     When  retiring,  a  few  who  knew  not  what  spirit 
they  were  of  reviled  and  swore,  and  said  I  should  be  thrown 
into  the  water=" 


828         NEWFOUNDLAND   AND    ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


I 


Mr.  Corlett  closes  his  interesting  journal  with  the 
following   observations :  — 

"  Green's  Pond  is  in  great  want  of  a  missionary.  There  are 
about  five  hundred  Protestants,  and  one  hundred  Catholics ;  be- 
sides there  are  Protestants  at  the  following  places,  which  may 
be  early  visited,  with  the  happiest  effects,  several  times  a  year,  as 
most  of  them  are  contiguous  to  the  Pond,  and  all  have  intercourse 
with  it:  Middle-Bill  Cove,  Pinchard's  Island,  Swain's  Island, 
Fool's  Island,  Gooseberry  Island,  and  Pouch  Island, —  on  most  of 
which  many  Protestant  families  reside  who  rarely  hear  the  glad 
tidings  of  salvation." 

Of  the  state  of  public  feeling  he  says :  — 

"  I  plainly  perceive  that,  owing  to  various  circumstances,  they 
are  greatly  prejudiced  against  us.  Those  who  have  formed  illicit 
connections  are  against  us,  and  those  who  enrich  themselves  by 
the  ignorance  of  the  poor  are  against  us.  The  poor  themselves 
are  against  us,  because,  say  they,  *  they  do  not  allow  of  killing 
birds,  hunting  seals,  or  going  fishing  on  Sabbath  days ;  neither 
do  they  approve  of  having  dances,  singing  songs,'  &c. ;  and, 
besides,  they  say, '  we  are  no  Christians,  though  we  were  christened 
long  since.'  The  Prince  of  Darkness,  whose  empire  this  is  at 
present,  will,  I  have  no  doubt,  take  the  field  against  us ;  but  yet, 
were  the  door  providentially  opened  to  us,  none  of  these  things 
need  move  us." 

After  a  lapse  of  thirty-six  years,  Mr.  Corlett's  hopes 
in  reference  to  Green's  Pond  have  been  realized.  In 
our  minutes  for  1861,  we  read,  "  Green's  Pond  to  be 
supplied."  The  next  year  it  received  an  appointment ; 
for  in  the  station-sheet  we  read,  "  Green's  Pond,  John 
S.  Allen ; "  and  in  the  minutes  for  last  year  (1863), 
Green's  Pond  returns  twenty  members  in  society,  and 
twenty-four  on  trial,  and  four  dollars  as  its  first  contri- 
bution toward  the  mission  fund. 

In  the  year  1824,  Mr.  Corlett  left  Newfoundland, 
and  has  ever  since  been  laboring  very  successfully  in 
different  islands  of  the  West  Indies. 


i« 


RIES. 

al  with  the 


y.  There  are 
Catholics ;  be- 
!9,  which  may 
mes  a  year,  as 
ive  intercourse 
wain's  Island, 
,— on  most  of 
hear  the  glad 


mstances,  they 
e  formed  illicit 
themselves  by 
loor  themselves 
How  of  killing 
days;  neither 
igs,'  &c. ;  and, 
vere  christened 
ipire  this  is  at 


MERCIFUL    PRESERVATION. 


829 


ist  us ;  but  yet, 
of  these  things 

)rlett's  hopes 
realized.  In 
3  Pond  to  be 
ippointment ; 
Pond,  John 
year  (1863), 
.  society,  and 
s  first  contri- 

3wfoundland, 
accessfully  in 


_  In  the  minutes  for  1863,  liis  name  is  down  as  super- 
mtendent  of  the  Spanish-town  and  Linstead  Circuit,  in 
the  Jamaica  Di^*"ict. 

Before  proceeding  with  our  narrative,  we  may  be  al- 
lowed here  to   give  a  short  account  of   the  merciful 
preservation  of  the  writer  from  perisliing  on  the  ice 
during  a  journey  in  Trinity  Bay,  Saturday,  Feb.  9, 
loZ2.     From  my  journal :  — 

"Wednesday  last  was  the  day  for  me  to  have  left  this  place 
(Old  Perlican)  for  Hants'  Harbor,  but  was  prevented  by  a  snow- 
storm.    Toward  night,  the  storm  increased,  and  the  thermometer 
fell  to  about  16°  below  zero.     On  Thursday  morning,  the  storm 
was  at  Its  height;  severe  was  the  cold,  fearf.Ily  howled  the  wind 
and  the  snow  was  raised  in  such  suffocating  clouds  that  it  was 
dangerous  to  go  out  of  the  house.     Toward  night,  however,  the 
weather  had  considerably  moderated.     Friday  was  calm ;  the  sun 
rose  with  great  brilliancy,  and  the  day  throughout  was  fine.    In 
the  evening,  a  man  called  upon  me  to  say  that  several  persons 
were  going  up  the  bay  in  the  morning,  and  I  had  better  hold  my- 
self  in  readiness  to  accompany  them ;  for,  although  we  could  not 
get  along  on  the  land  because  of  the  heavy  snow-drifts,  yet  we 
could  get  up  the  bay  on  the  ice.    We  left  Perlican,  at  day- 
light, m  three  companies,  thirteen  persons  in  all,  one  of  whom 
wasa  female     We  struck  off  directly  for  the  headland  near  Hants' 
Harbor     The  morning  was  clear  and  calm,  and  there  was  every 
probaoihty  of  getting  to  our  journey's  end  early  in  the  afternoon. 
About  nine  o  clock,  a  light  breeze  of  wind  sprung  up  from  the 
west,  and  a  haze  came  on  the  land,  but  not  sufficient  to  hide  it 
from  our  view.     As  we  were  passing  a  deep  indent  in  the  land,  I 
chanced  to  look  toward  a  point  of  land  that  we  had  parsed  an 
hour  before,  and  were  then  only  just  abreast  of  it,  and  called  the  at- 
tention  of  my  company  to  the  fact.     We  halted,  and  immediately 
saw  that  the  whole  mass  of  ice  was  moving  down  the  Bay,  at 
about  the  same  rate  that  we  were  walking  up ;  and  that  we  must 
reach  the  shore,  or  be  carried  into  the  open  ocean  and  perish. 

Our  company,  consisting  of  four  persons,  was  nearest  the  land  • 
we  fired  a  gun  as  a  signal  to  the  next  company,  and  they  repeated 

tbe  signal  to  the  outernnmnanv  wi+i,  tvK:^},  ^- -.__         ^     ^       , 

^„.i . ,  .,  U.1  A  ui^n  comuaay  was  the  female. 

28* 


330 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


We  made  for  a  prominent  point  of  land,  but  soon  found  we  had 
formed  a  very  large  anjijlo  to  the  eastward  and  could  not  fetch  it, 
and  must  strike  the  land  a  long  way  below  the  point.  As  we  got 
near  the  shore,  the  ice  began  to  separate  into  small  pans,  and,  as 
it  consisted  of  but  little  more  than  the  frozen  snow,  formed  during 
the  late  storm,  it  often  gave  way  under  our  feet,  and  but  for  our 
gaffs  M-e  must  have  been  drowned.  The  ice  did  not  reach  the 
shore,  so  that,  with  our  gaffs,  we  had  each  to  get  a  pan  of  ice  for  him- 
self and  push  himself,  toward  the  land.  But  no  pan  of  ice  would  bear 
a  second  person.  It  always  broke  under  him.  Our  party 
reached  the  shore  safely,  although  very  wet ;  and  we  watched, 
with  deep  anxiety,  the  arrival  of  our  companions.  The  second 
party  reached  the  shore  with  but  little  more  difficulty  than  we 
had  experienced ;  but,  by  the  time  the  third  party  had  arrived, 
the  ice  was  quite  gone  from  the  shore,  and  they  had  to  go  down 
the  shore  a  considerable  distance  before  they  dared  attempt  to  land. 
The  poor  woman,  exhausted  and  much  alarmed,  fell  into  the  wa- 
ter repeatedly,  but  was  rescued,  and  all  reached  the  shore 
through  the  kind  providence  of  our  heavenly  Father.  We  now 
kindled  a  fire  by  the  seaside,  and  endeavored  to  dry  ourselves ; 
but  the  west  wind  was  cold,  .and  our  clothes  froze  on  us,  not- 
withstanding our  fire.  The  day  was  fast  advancing,  and  we 
had  to  leave  our  encampment,  and  proceed  on  our  journey. 
We  reached  Hants'  Harbor  a  little  after  dark,  very  cold  and  ex- 
cessively fatigued,  but  thankful  that  we  had  thus  been  saved  from 
drowning,  or  perishing  on  the  ice." 

All  our  winter  journeys  were  not  like  the  above,  for 
ofttimes  they  were  very  pleasant :  it  was  so  with  my 
return  from  Hants'  Harbor.  My  journal  contains  the 
following  entry,  Wednesday,  February  15th :  — 

"  Lefl  Hants'  Harbor  for  Island  Cove,  distance  eighteen  miles, 
at  nine  o'clock.  The  day  was  calm,  the  weather  beautiful,  and  the 
walking  excellent.  Passing  through  the  Hants'  Harbor  woods,  we 
came  to  a  lake  seven  miles  long,  called  Pitten's  Pond,  crossed  it, 
and  a  few  miles  further,  we  came  to  high  table-land,  from  whence 
we  had  a  most  conmianding  view  of  the  whole  surrounding  coun- 
try. Our  course  was  east-north-east,  the  sun  was  a  little  past  his 
meridian  altitude,  and  therefore  on  our  right  hand,  in  looking 


NEWFOUNDLAND   STATION. 


831 


along  the  ridnre  of  the  land,  it  was  an  extended  barren  covered 
with  its  mantle  of  snow  ;  numerous  ponds  were  to  be  seen  in 
every  direction,  with  here  and  there  a  •  droke '  of  woods;  and  the 
thick  forest  skirting  the  seashore.     To  the  south  were  the  waters 
of  Conception  Bay,  calm  and  placid,  with  the  high  lands  on  the 
shore  reflecting  iho  sun's  rays  from  their snow-capped  summits;  to 
the  north-west  the  waters  of  Trinity  Bay,  and  the  whole  margin  of 
Its  northern  shore  presented  a  similar  appearance,  although  th  ^  re- 
flecting of  light  was  less  brilliant,  owing  to  the  different  position  of 
the  sun  ;  while  directly  in  our  front  the  rocky  and  desolate  island 
of  Bacalieu,  dividing  the  waters  of  these  two  great  bays,  was  dis- 
tinctly visible  ;  and  far  in  the  distant  horizon  were  the  waters  of 
the  great  western  ocean,  without  a  billow  or  breeze  to  agitate  its 
glassy  surface.     We  untied  our  'nunny-bags'  and  took'' our  re- 
past on  this  elevated  land,  and,  after  enjoying  the  scenery  for 
Bome  two  or  three  hours,  began  to  descend  toward  the  shore  of 
Conception  Bay,  when  this  beautiful  panorama  view  vanished, 
leaving  us  the  only  pleasure  of  a  retrospect  and  telling  to  other 
people  the  scenery  we  had  beheld,  and  the  pleasant  journey  we 
had  had."  J         J'     « 

In  the  minutes  fir  1828,  the  Newfoundland  station- 
sheet  reads  thus :  — 

St.  John's  —  John  Pickavi  nt. 

Carboneab  —  John  Haigh. 

Harbor  Grace  —  John  Corlett. 

Black-head  and  Western  Bay  — Richard  Knight. 

Island  Cove,  and  Perlican  —  Charles  Bates. 

Port  de  Grave  —  William  Ellis. 

Brigus  —  John  Boyd. 

Trinity  Bay— Simeon  Noall. 

Bona  VISTA  and  Catalina  —  John  Tomkins. 

Grand  Bank  and  Fortune  Bay—  A.  Nightingale. 

Burin  —  George  Ellidge. 

Hants'  Harbor- John  Smithies. 

Indian  Mission,  Mission  Esquimaux  Bay,  on  the 
Labrador  Coast  —  William  Wilson. 
Of  the  Esquimau  Mission  we  have  already  given  a 
full  account,  and  there  is  no  need  of  any  repetition  on 
that  subject. 


832 


NEWIOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


Two  names  occur  in  the  above  list,  to  which  the  at- 
tention of  tlie  reader  has  not  been  before  (hrected. 

1.  John  Toinkins  commenced  to  travel  in  tlie  year 
1827,  and  his  first  appointment  was  Hants'  Harbor. 
He  continued  to  hibor  in  diHierent  circuits  on  the 
island  until  the  year  1833 ;  when  he  removed  to 
Canada  and  was  appointed  to  Quebec.  Canada  then 
was  all  included  in  one  district,  with  only  ten  preach- 
ers, and  2,094  members.  Brother  Tomkins  still  lives 
and  labors  in  Canada,  and  he  has  witnessed  its  prog- 
ress for  thirty  years,  during  which  time,  from  the 
above  small  "  foreign  district,"  it  has  become  a  mighty 
independent  connection,  with  twenty-five  districts,  five 
hundred  and  thirteen  ministers,  a  membership  of  near 
sixty  thousand,  and  carrying  the  light  of  the  glorious 
gospel  as  far  west  as  the  shores  of  the  Pacific  Ocean. 

John  Smithies  commenced  to  travel  at  the  confer- 
ence of  1828  ;  and  also  was  first  appointed  to  Hants' 
Harbor.  He  labored  on  the  island  nine  years,  when  in 
1837  he  removed  to  Abaco,  in  the  West  Indies  ;  and 
after  two  years  he  was  appointed  to  Swan  River, 
Western  Australia.  He  labored  in  Australia  for 
twenty-four  years.  During  that  time  our  cause  in 
Australia  and  Van  Dieman's  has  increased,  from  three 
districts  with  thirty-five  ministers  and  a  membership 
of  1,878,  until  it,  like  Canada,  h^s  also  become  a  great, 
independent  conference,  with  seven  districts,  one 
hundred  and  seventy-two  ministers  and  preachers  on 
trial,  and  with  a  membership  of  more  than  30,000. 
Besides  it  has  seven  local  preachers ;  it  has  also  its 
academic  and  collegiate  institutions,  a  book-room, 
two  official  journals,  and  a  missionary  ship.  In 
1859,  John  Smithies  stood  on  the  minutes,  for  Lang- 
lord,  in  Xa^iiianm. 


41 


ins. 


JOSEPH    BUTTER  WORTH. 


833 


ich  the  at- 
ected. 
n  tlie  year 
s'  Harbor, 
its  on  tlie 
emovecl  to 
anacla  tlien 
;en  preach- 
;  still  lives 
d  its  prog- 
,  from  the 
e  a  mighty 
stricts,  five 
hip  of  near 
he  glorious 
ic  Ocean, 
the  confer- 
l  to  Hants' 
rs,  when  in 
ndies  ;  and 
ran  River, 
stralia  for 
r  cause  in 
from  three 
[lembership 
lie  a  great, 
tricts,  one 
eachers  on 
an  30,000. 
as  also  its 
book-room, 
ship.  In 
for  Lang- 


Thc  missionary  income  for  this  year  v/n"  £43,235 
78.  9d.     Our  total  missionary  membership  was  34,892. 

Two  years  before  this,  the  British  conference,  and 
almost  the  whole  connection,  had  to  mourn  the  loss  of 
one  of  its  noblest  and  best  laymen,  in  the  death  of 
Joseph  Butterworth,  Esq.,  of  London.  Mr.  Butter- 
worth  had  long  served  his  country  as  member  of 
Parliament.  For  thirty  years  ho  had  been  a  class 
leader,  and  a  great  promoter  of  Sabbath  schools; 
he  was  treasurer  of  our  missionary  society,  and 
connected  with  all  the  great  religious  and  philan- 
thropic movements  of  the  day.  At  the  time  of  his 
funeral,  which  took  place  in  London,  the  city  of 
Dover,  which  he  had  represented  in  Parliament, 
and  which  is  seventy  miles  distant,  closed  all  its 
shops  as  on  the  Sabbath,  and  tolled  its  bells  the 
chief  part  of  the  day.  In  the  minutes  of  the  con- 
ference for  1826,  when  speaking  of  the  death  of  Mr. 
Butterworth,  we  read  the  followincr; 

"  Nor  was  there  a  -ything  which  related  to  the  stabih'ty,  exten- 
sion, or  success  of  the  Wesleyan  missious,  uuo  which  he  did  not 
enter  with  an   affectionate  and  tant  interest.     Great  is  the 

loss  which  our  missionary  soek,y  has  sustained  by  this  bereave- 
ment. But  it  becomes  us  to  bow  with  submission  f  ^  the  dispen- 
sations of  Almighty  God,  and  to  commit  his  great  cause,  in  all  its 
departments,  by  a  rene  vcd  a-t  of  faith,  to  his  special  care  ;  trust- 
ing in  his  promises,  anc  lemembering,  that  while  the  strong;  are 
not  efficient  without  him  tha  weak,  in  his  hand,  shall  become  as 
the  '  angel  of  the  Lord.'  ' 

A  few  years  before  the  death  of  Mr.  Butterworth, 
the  Episcopal  clergy  of  Newfoundland  tried  to  get 
an  imperial  act  of  Parliament  that  should  ex- 
clude the  Wesleyan  ministers  from  the  right  to 
celebite   marriage,  and  it  was  by  the  influence  of 


Ijli 

I    ! 


834 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND  ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


il'! 


I'r 

III' 


that  gentleman  in  the  House  of  Commons,  that  this 
design  was  frustrated. 

In  the  autumn  of  1827,  the  official  circular  of  the 
committee  reached  Newfoundland ;  a  copy  of  which  now 
lies  before  me,  and  bears  the  signatures,  —  "  George 
Morley,  James  Townley,  John  James." 

Two  of  these  names  occur  here  for  the  first  time  in 
our  narrative.  James  Townley,  d.  d.,  was  educated 
by  the  Rev.  David  Simpson,  author  of  the  "Plea  for 
Religion."  He  commenced  his  labor  as  an  itinerant 
preacher  in  1796,  and  travelled  for  thirty-six  years.  He 
was  missionary  secretary  five  years,  and  filled  the  office 
of  president  at  the  conference  of  1829.  He  was  a 
most  amiable  and  learned  man.  His  literary  character 
was  very  respectable.  He  was  master  of  several  lan- 
guages, and  was  noted  as  a  great  biblical  scholar.  His 
literary  attainments  gained  for  him  the  title  of  d.  d. 
He  died  in  peace,  and  in  the  full  triumph  of  faith,  on 
the  12th  December,  1833. 

John  James  filled  the  office  of  secretary  also  for  five 
years.  The  minutes  of  conference  say  of  him :  "  He 
was  distinguished  through  life  by  steady  and  fervent 
piety  and  inflexible  integrity,  united  t  >  great  affability, 
cheerfulness,  and  generosity.  As  a  preacher  he  was  at 
once  eloquent,  sound,  ardent,  and  exceedingly  useful. 
He  died  suddenly  on  the  6th  of  November,  1832,  in 
the  47th  year  of  his  age,  and  the  26th  of  his  ministry. 

The  year  1832  was  a  year  of  great  mortality  among 
the  advocates  and  managers  of  our  missionary  society. 
The  committee  in  the  conclusion  of  their  report  for  this 
year  say :  "  Two  of  the  general  secretaires,  and  two 
other  members  of  the  committee,  have  been  removed  in 
the  short  space  of  a  few  months  from  the  scene  of  their 
labors  to  their  everlasting  reward."     First  on  the  list 


MISSION   FUND. 


835 


stands  the  name  of  the  Rev.  Dr.  Adam  Clarke ;  he 
died  on  the  30th  of  Sept.,  aged  seventy-two  years.    The 
second   was   the  Rev.  Thomas  Stanley.     "  In   him," 
says  the  report,  "  the  society  has  lost  a  steady  friend, 
while  the  church  has  been  deprived  of  a  faithful  minis- 
ter  and  pastor.     His  attention  to  business,  his  judicious 
counsel,  and  his  affable  manners  secured  for  him  the 
esteem  and  affection  of  the  committee."     He  died  on 
the  9th  of  October.      The  third  was  the  Rev.  John 
James,  who  died  as  already  stated  on  the  6th  of  No- 
vember.    The  fourth  was  the  Rev.  Richard  Watson, 
who  died  Jan;  8th,  1833. 

As  the  funeral  knell  of  these  servants  of  the  Lord, 
these  supporters  of  our  missionary  cause,  sounded 
across  the  Atlantic  Ocean,  and  along  our  rock-bound 
shores  of  Newfoundland,  deep  sorrow  took  possession 
of  the  minds  of  the  missionaries,  as  they  remembered 
the  kindness  they  had  each  received  from  those  departed 
saints,  and  the  Christian  and  fatherly  advice  contained 
in  those  annual  circulars  which  from  year  to  year  were 
sent  by  them  for  our  guidance  ;  as  well  as  for  the  inter- 
est they  took  in  our  concerns,  and  for  the  manner  in 
which  they  regarded  our  requests  and  supplied  our 
necessities. 

These  provinces  at  that  time  began  to  feel  their  duty 
in  reference  to  the  mission  fund.  The  report  made  up 
to  December  31st,  credits  Nova  Scotia  with  <£305  13«. 
Sd. ;  New  Brunswick  with  ^329  135.  M. ;  Newfouni- 
land  with  .£103  65.  Id,  missionary  money.  T'lese 
moneys  were  raised  in  these  provinces  mostly  by  sub- 
scription, although  the  public  collections  were  '.ncluded. 
In  Newfoundland  there  were  only  seven  subscribers 
besides  the  missionaries.  Of  the  X103  13s.  M.,  X74 
16s.  U,  were  raised  in  five  public  colle^aions,  as^ollows : 

/ 


\i 


^' 


I 


336         NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

St.  John's,  £24  13o.  Harbor  Grace,  <£15  9«.  Carbon- 
ear,  £15  11«.  4c?.  Port  de  Grave,  £8  148;  Brigus, 
£13  98.  These  were  noble  collections,  and  now  that 
subscriptions  are  taken  up  over  the  district,  as  well  as 
collections,  the  missionary  income  of  Newfoundland  is 
more  than  four  times  as  much  in  1863  as  in  1828.  And 
it  will  yet  increase. 


\ 


\ 


\ 


\ 


\ 


\ 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

INSTRUCTIONS  TO    MISSIONARIES  ^  TRAVELLTW«    t»    « 

REMOVALS  -  SUMMER     XRAVE^INO  IT-KR     tZ^^^^^^ 
JOURNEY  OVER  THE  CorTNT«^  WINTER     TRAVELLING  —  A 

TN  the  instrucftions  to  the  Wesleyan  missionaries, 
X  given  to  them  at  their  ordination,  and  published  in 
every  annual  missionary  report  down  totte  present 
day,  13  found  the  following :  —  ^ 

conversions.     Only  we  recommend  to  you,  not  to  allow  yourselvP, 

f:^^::uZ7-f  "'r  ^  ^'^^'  ^°  ^^^  -^  ^-^^  "^^^^^ 

lacts,  but  always  write  such  accounts  as  you  would  not  disHlcP  t^ 

rr;  ■"  ""■"' '"  *^  "'-^  "■>-  "■«^"  "»por.r  ,^*hav: 

stnl'l'  '""'"'i  f "  /"""'"'^  ""^'"'^'y  '"'»"<'  to  this  in- 
truetion,  and  he  therefore  commenced  his  journal  with 
the  very  commencement  of  his  missionary  life.  That 
journal  now  lies  before  him,  and  from  its  pages,  as  wel 
as  from  Ins  remembrance  of  past  even..,  h^  now  be." 
t.o  give  the  reader  some  miscellaneous  information  S. 
reference  to  Newfoundland. 

T  .AVELLINO  IN  NEWFOUNDLAND. 

In  a  country  where  all  the  inhabitants  were  engaged 

(337; 


838 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


lip, 


■|i' 


in  maritime  pursuits,  where  agriculture  as  a  business 
was  not  followed,  whero  a  horse  was  but  seldom  seen, 
and  where  roads  had  never  been  made,  the  Christian 
missionary,  like  the  people,  would  have  a  life  of  great 
exposure  and  toil.  Such  was  the  case  when  the  writer, 
in  1821,  received  his  first  appointment  to  an  out-harbor 
circuit.  In  removing  to  our  stations,  our  conveyance 
was  a  fishinoi-boat,  our  luo;<jjao;e  would  be  stowed  in  the 
fish-lockers,  and  covered  with  a  tarpaulin  to  keep  it 
from  the  wet ;  our  females  and  children  would,  in  a 
storm,  crowd  into  the  cuddy^  —  a  sort  of  cabin,  aft,  of 
about  six  feet  lonjj,  in  which  standins  was  out  of  the 
question,  but  in  wiiich  we  could  sit  upright  by  taking 
the  floor  as  a  stool.  The  preacher  himself  generally 
took  his  stand  in  the  after  standing-room,  alongside  the 
skipper,  where  he  would  be  exposed  to  all  the  weather, 
where  the  spray  from  the  weather  bow  would  strike 
him,  and  wet  him  to  the  skin.  If  he  were  not  sick, 
passing  a  fishing-boat,  or  a  headland,  the  white  sail  of 
a  square-rigged  vessel,  as  seen  in  the  distance,  a  flock 
of  sea-birds,  the  blowing  of  a  whale,  or  the  sluggish 
rolling  along  of  "  sea-hog "  or  porpoise,  would  excite 
his  attention,  and  beguile  his  weary  moments,  and  his 
hand  would  be  upon  the  helaying-pin^  ready  to  haul  in 
or  slack  out  the  main-sheet,  as  occasion  might  require. 
But  if  he  or  his  family  were  sea-sick,  as  was  almost 
sure  to  be  the  case,  then  every  mountain  wave  that 
arose,  every  time  the  fragile  bark  would  be  hurled  into 
the  trough  of  the  sea,  every  time  a  reef  was  taken  in 
the  sails  or  let  out,  every  time  the  boat  was  hove  to  or 
bore  away,  every  shift  of  wind  or  change  of  course, 
every  creak  of  the  rudder,  and,  above  all,  every  time 
the  sea  would  strike  the  boat,  fresh  nausea  would  be 

i^rnrlnPfjfl     sninp  Avnnt  Avniilrl  1^«    «ivnrpecp(l  in    the  ru'^l'^'v 


R  tn6  cuclc 


TRAVELLING   IN    NEWFOUNDLAND.  839 

by  his  oiying  children  or  his  suffering  wife,  to  wliich  he 
could  not  attend,  while  his  shivering  limbs  and  per- 
sonal weakness  would  prompt  him  often  to  ask,  Skipper 
IS  the  wind  free  ?     Does  it  blow  as  hard  as  it  did  ?     I3 
the  sea  abating?  and  When  shall  we  reach  the  harbor? 
This  is  not  a  fancy  picture,  but  the  result  of  many 
years'  experience  ;  for  often  has  the  writer  been  for  days 
and  nights  in  a  situation  Hke  that  described  above  ;  and 
once  ni  particular  he  made  a  i)assage  from  Burin  to  St. 
Johns  in  a  fishing-boat,  when  we  were  driven  out  of 
sight  of  land  in  a  gale  of  wind ;  while  his  family  were 
prisoners   in  a  wretched   cuddy,  which,  for  size  and 
comfort,  might,  like  the  old  Papist  prison,  be  termed 
"  Little  Ease,"    himself  was   for   four   days  and   five 
nights  m  succession,  under  the  open  canopy  of  heaven 
exposed  to  the  wind,  the  rain,  and  snow,  of  the  latter 
of  which  in  one  night  there  fell  three  inches. 

SUMMER  TRAVELLING  IN  THE  CIRCUITS. 

This  was  very  laborious,  as  we  had  to  climb  high  hills, 
wade  the  streams,  and  plunge  through  the  mire  of  the 
marshes,  with  our  bundles  on  a  stick,  and  carried  upon 
the  left  shoulder,  while  our  persons  were  denuded  of 
coat,  sometimes  of  vest  and  neck-cloth  likewise ;  and, 
when  wearied  or  hungry,  we  would  doff  our  bundles,' 
partake  of  the  oollation  therein  contained,  drink  from 
the  purling  brook,  and,  after  resting  for  a  time  under 
the  shade  of  some  tree,  would  again  pursue  our  journey 
toward   its  terminus.     As  our  mission   stations  were 
mostly  on  the  necks  of  land  that  separate  the  large 
bays  from   each  other,  the  streams   in   our  way  were 
fordable  in  summer,  for  tlie  water  shed  on  tiiose  necks 
IS  not  sufficiently  extensive  to  produce  navigable  rivers, 
-roo.i  was  always  the  term  used  for  our  streams;  but 


I       i 


II 


340         NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


I 


$ 
m 

m 
11 


late  in  the  fall,  we  would  sometimes  be  breast  high  in 
fording  these  brooks. 

In  travelling,  we  never  wore  boots  ;  for  they  were 
useless  to  keep  us  dry,  as  we  would  always  get  over  the 
tops  of  any  boots  we  could  put  on  when  wading  our 
numerous  brooks.  We  were  always  careful  to  have 
good  soles  on  our  shoes,  to  keep  the  feet  from  injury  by 
the  rocks,  over  which  we  had  to  walk  ;  but  a  small  hole 
in  the  side  of  the  shoe  we  would  rather  have  than  not, 
as  it  allowed  the  water  to  escape  when  we  got  on  the 
hard  land,  and  thus  prevented  friction  in  walking. 
When  we  arrived  at  our  place  of  destination,  and  en- 
tered the  house,  the  kind  hostess,  who  knew  that  we 
were  fatigued  and  wet  and  often  very  hungry,  always 
met  us  with  a  smile.  The  hospitalities  of  her  house 
were  offered  to  us,  and  the  kindness  of  her  heart  was 
shown  by  addressing  us  with,  "  I  am  glad  to  see  you  ; 
come,  walk  in,  sit  down  ;  take  off  your  shoes  and  stock- 
ings, and  I  will  get  a  cup  of  tea  in  a  few  minutes." 
Thus  did  kindness  make  us  forget  our  fatigue,  and  lead 
us  to  exclaim,  "  What  would  we  not  do,  and  what  labor 
would  we  not  undertake,  for  those  wh(?^so  kindly  re- 
ceive us,  and  who  listen,  with  so  much  attention,  to  the 
gospel  of  salvation  which  we  have  come  hither  to 
preach  ?  " 

WINTER  TRAVELLING. 

To  understand  this,  we  would  remind  the  reader  that 
the  term  woods  was  used  in  a  threefold  sense :  thus,  a 
hat  of  woods  meant  a  small,  isolated  patch  of  woods  in  a 
barren  ;  a  droke  of  woods  meant  a  piece  of  wood,  wheth- 
er large  or  small,  on  the  sides  of  two  opposite  hills, 
with  a  valley  between  them ;  but  the  term  woods,  when 
used  alone,  has  no  reference  to  situation  or  extent. 

The  barrens  are  a  sort  of  table-land,  elevated  from 


WINTER  tra'\t:llino. 


841 


SIX  hundred  to  one  thousand  feet  above  the  level  of  the 
sea.     Over  these  dreary  barrens  we  had  to  travel  in  tlie 
wniter  season,  with  the  thermometer  often  15°  below 
zero ;  and,  as  in  these  journeys  we  had  to  walk  over  a 
trackless  country,  and  there  was  a  possibility  of  our 
bemg  out   all  night,  we  usually  made  preparation  to 
meet  contingencies.     1.    We  went  in  company  of  from 
tAvo  to  four  persons  ;  seldom  did  one  travel  alone.     2 
iiach  man  had  a  nunny-bag,  which  is  a  kind  of  knap- 
sack, made  of  seal-skin,  with  the  two  fore-fippers  pass- 
ing over  the  shoulders,  and  tied  across  the  breast  w^th  a 
piece  of  cod-line.     In  our  nunny-bag,  we  carried  dry 
stockmgs,  a  change  of  linen,  with  any  i)apers  wemiglu 
requu-e.     We  also  imd  in  our  nunny-bag  two  days'  pro- 
visions ;  and,  as  lucifer  matches  were  not  then  known 
we  carried  the  old-fashioned  tinder-box,  with  flint  and 
steel   also  an  extinguished  firebrand,  so  as  to  facilitate 
the  kindling  of  a  fire  if  necessary.      3.     We  had  each 
a  pair  of  rackets,  or  Indian  snow-shoes,  with  Indian 
moccasins  on  our  feet,  and  buskins  on  our  leas.    4    We 
had  a  hatchet  to  cut  wood  for  our  fire,  and  one  or  two 
guns,  m  case  we  met  with  any  deer  or  other  game 
Thus  equipped,  with  the  addition  of  a  pocket-compass* 
we  would  commence  our  journey.      Often  would  each 
man  s  load  be  upward  of  twenty  pounds  in  weight. 
We  generally  selected  a  moonlight  night  as  the  time  for 
crossing  the  country,  and  generally  left  at  four  o'clock 
m  the  morning.     After  going  on  some  wood-path  to 
Its  end,  we  took  the  woods,  and  climbed  the  hills  the 
nearest  way  to  the  barrens.     If  it  were  early  in  the 
season,  so  that  we  had  frost  without  snow,  or  very  late, 
so  that  the  driven  snow  was  sufficiently  hard  to  bear 
us,  m  either  case  our  journey  was  generally  pleasant, 
because  we  could  go  in  a  straight  line  to  our  place  of 


842 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


IjiUli 


destination.     But,  if  it  were  stormy,  the  journey  would 
be  a  long  one,  and  often  attended  with  dano;er. 

A  journey  like  this,  the  writer  once  made,  while  on 
the  Grand  Bank  Circuit.  He  had  been  to  Burin  to 
visit  brother  Ellis,  and,  in  company  with  three  men, 
was  returning  home,  a  distance  of  some  forty  miles. 
On  arriving  on  the  barrens,  we  found  the  snow  very 
deep ;  so  that,  notwithstanding  our  rackets,  or  snow- 
shoes,  we  often  sank  to  our  knees  in  snow.  To  go 
across  the  country  the  whole  distance  to  Grand  Bank 
was  impossible.  We,  therefore,  strove  to  reach  the 
shore  of  Fortune  Bay,  somewhere  in  the  vicinity  of 
Great  Garnish.  The  distance  to  this  place  was  some 
twelve  miles ;  and  one  mile  an  hour  was  the  most  we 
could  accomplish  with  our  snow-shoes.  A  little  before 
sunset,  we  came  to  a  hat  of  woods,  under  the  lee  of 
which,  we  untied  our  nunny-bags  ;  and,  after  taking 
some  refreshment,  we  held  a  consultation  as  to  whether 
we  should  try  to  reach  the  shore,  still  some  miles  dis- 
tant, or  kindle  a  fire  and  remain  in  this  hat  of  woods 
for  the  night.  Our  pilot  gave  it  as  his  opinion  that 
we  should  have  a  severe  storm  before  morning ;  so  we 
determined  to  proceed,  and  reached  the  shore  about  six 
o'clock.  It  was  on  the  27th  of  January,  long  after 
dark,  and  the  moon  was  not  up.  We  then  directed 
our  way  down  the.  shore,  in  expectation  of  finding 
some  place  inhabited  by  human  beings.  We  had  gone 
but  a  short  distance  before  one  of  my  companions 
refused  to  travel  any  further,  and  threw  away  his  gun. 
I  took  his  gun,  and  threw  away  my  rackets ;  and, 
after  some  remonstrance,  urged  him  to  make  another 
effort  to  proceed.  Soon  another  of  the  company  laid 
himself  down  to  sleep.  I  shook  him  violently.  "  Let 
me  sleepj"  said  he,  "  onlv  a  few  minutes  and  1  will  go 


WINTER   TRAVEI.M.NO. 


843 


»» 


on."     I  said,  "  No,  you  shall  not  sleep  at  all,  for  if  you 
sleep,  you  will  never  wake  again."     Presently  he  was 
aroused,  and  we  moved  on  to  v.  point  of  land  where 
we  met  the  coming  storm  in  all  its  fury.     We  retreated 
foi  shelter  under  a  high  bank,  when  one  of  my  com- 
pany, in  utter  despair,  said,  *'  1  will  lie  down  here  and 
die,  for  we  shall  perish  before  the  morning."     We  now 
tried  to  fire  off  our  guns,  but  the  powder  was  wet. 
We  strove  to  make  a  fire,  but  our   tinder  was  wet. 
Still,  there  was  one  alternative:    we  might  be  quite 
near  some  dwelling,  and  if  we  made  a  shout,  our  voice 
might  reach  some  ear  that  would  come  to  our  relief. 
We  were  led  to  this  by  seeing,  as  we  thought,  a  re- 
flection in  the  atmosphere  as  from  a  fire.     Three  of  us 
shouted  together,  when,  to  our   great  joy,  a   human 
voice,  in  reply,  was  heard  from  the  thick  bush  just 
over    our   head;    and    immediately   two    men    made 
their  appearance,  each  with   a  flaming  firebrand,  and 
gave  us  a  hearty  welcome  to  the  hospitalities  of  their 
winter   tilt.       Supper    was    soon    prepared,   although 
then  about  twelve  o'clock  ;  most  of  our  party  were  too 
much  exhausted  to  be  roused,  so  they  slept  until  the 
morning.     We  had  been  in  the  tilt,  but  a  short  time, 
before  the  storm  became  terrific ;  and,  had  we  not  ob- 
tained a  shelter,  it  was  scarcely  possible  we  could  have 
survived.      We  were  much  fatigued,  and  my  feet  were 
much  chafed  with  the  rackets,  and  my  face  and  my  right 
ear  severely  frozen. 

In  the  winter  of  1833,  two  of  our  ministers  nearly 
perished  in  one  of  those  winter  journeys,  —  Messrs. 
Knight  and  Tomkins.  They  left  Heart's  Content  for 
Carbonear,  and  as  the  distance  was  only  a  few  hours' 
walk,  and  the  weather  seemed  favorable,  they  left  without 
a  guide,  a  gun,  or  a  pair  of  rackets,  and  with  but  a  scanty 


If 


844         NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


rovision. 


iched  the  ban 


j»! 


'1 


When  th  ^ 
it  became  foggy  ;  then  a  "  snow-dwie,'"  that  is,  a  slight 
snow-sliower,  came  on  ;  another,  and  another  "  dwie  " 
followed,  until  it  became  a  heavy  snow-storm.  They 
were  now  lost ;  but  they  wandered  on,  and  about  night- 
fall they  came  to  woods,  but  what  woods  they  knew  not. 
In  the  dark  they  strove  hard  to  pass  the  woods  and  get 
on  some  shore  ;  but  all  was  in  vain, —  brother  Tomkins 
could  proceed  no  further.  They  had  no  means  of  mak- 
ino-  a  fire,  and  their  food  was  all  used.  The  snow  was 
up  to  their  hips,  but  they  found  a  level  spot  of  some 
thirty  feet  in  length  ;  there  they  trod  a  path,  on  which 
they  continued  to  walk  to  and  fro  for  the  space  of 
more  than  twelve  hours.  The  night  was  dark  and  cold, 
their  clothes  were  torn  to  rags  in  getting  through 
the  "  tuckemore  bushes,"  the  storm  howled  fearfully, 
the  trees  were  falling  around  them  in  every  direction 
by  the  violence  of  the  wind,  and  they  were  ex- 
hausted with  wet,  cold,  and  hunger;  repeatedly  did 
Mr.  Tomkins  sit  or  fall  to  the  ground,  and  request  his 
companion  to  allow  him  to  take  rest  on  the  snow-clad 
ground,  if  but  for  a  few  minutes.  Mr.  Knight,  who 
possessed  great  powers  of  endurance,  a  strong  muscu- 
lar frame,  and  a  corresponding  vigorous  mind,  could 
not  grant  that  request,  but  shook  him,  rubbed  his 
limbs,  and  sometimes  dragged  him  along,  knowing  as 
he  did,  that  if  his  brother  slept  there,  he  would  wake 
no  more  until  the  "last  trump  should  wake  the  slum- 
bering dead."  Frequently,  during  the  slowly  revolving 
hours  of  that  memorable  night,  did  these  servants  of 
the  Lord  "  pray  and  make  supplication  to  the  God  of 
heaven,"  knowing  that  he  would  interpose  in  their 
behalf,  and  deliver  them  from  their  perilous  position. 


itarkness  of  tl 


le 


R   TRAVELLING. 


niglit ;  and  just  as  the  dawn  of  tl 


845 


J       1      ,      ,.         ";     '  *' " '"^ "'»""  ui  me  next 

day   broke  from  the   eastern   skies,  the  crowing  of  a 
cock  told  them  of  their  proximity  to  a  hun.an  dwdlin<., 
winch  It  they  could  reach,  they  were  sure  the  hand  of 
rehef  would   be  extended   to   them,  shelter  would  be 
cheerfully  given  them,  and  their  wants  supplied  accord- 
ing to   the   circumstances   of  whomsoever  should   be 
tound  as  occupants  of  that  sylvan  abode.       They  took 
courage,  plunged  through  the  snow  and  thickJt,  and 
reached  tins  -  winter  tilt,''  about  eight  o'clock,  just  as 
the  storm  was  subsiding,  and  the  sun,  now  orient  in  his 
course  and  glorious  in  his  splendor,  was  bringing  the 
blessmgs  of  another  day  to  the  inhabitants  of  the  fand 
In  this  tilt  they  obtained  food  ;  but  what  was   to  them 
of  greater  importance,  they  had  a  good  fire,  and  took 
a  good  rest      After  some  hours  of  repose,  they  procured 
come   articles   of   clotliing  from   the  host,   and    then 
directed  their  stey^  along  a  beaten  path,  thankful  and 
hW.  although  suffering  in  their  limbs  from  the  effects 
of  the  frost,  toward  that  now  more  than  ever  endeared 
home,  where    smiling   countenances  nvouM   welcome 
them,  the  pmttling  of  the  little  ones  would  dissipate 
sorrow,  and  the  heaving  heart  would  rejoice  for  such  a 
preservation  and  such  a  deliverance. 

I  will  mention  one  more  case,  illustrative  of  the  diffi- 
culties  of  winter  travelling  by  our  missionaries  in  days 
.  of  yore.  The  missionary  notice  for  December,  18^ 
contains  an  extract  from  the  journal  of  the  Rev.  James 
H.ckson,  giving  an  account  of  his  journey  from  Old 
Perhcan  to  Hants'  Harbor.     It  reads  thus :  - 

"Feb.  9.  Walked  to  Hants'  Harbor,  the  snow  very  deep  the 
cold  intense,  having  six  „.en  in  company,  some  of  wh^m,  hav!lg 
recently  found  mercy,  went  purposely  to  tell  th.ir  fr^enO. .  ^ 

haa  tound  the  Lord.     Just  before  I  got  there  I 


that 


thei 


was  quite  ready 


;*i* 


1^ 


11: 


846         NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


to  make  my  bed  in  tlie  snow,  and  give  up  the  phost.    But  through 
mercy  I  was  strengthened  to  finish  my  twenty  miles*  journey  by 
taking  a  morsel  of  bre;id  which  one  of  the  company  happened  to 
have  in  his  pocket.      If  my  journey  hail  been   much  further,  the 
conse(iuenci!  would  have  been,  that  I  must  either  have  perished 
in  the  woods,  or  have   been  carried  out  by  my   tired   company. 
With  their  remaining  strength  they  were  willing  to  do  this  if  re- 
quired and  possible.     A  part  of  my  feet  were  so  'frost-hurni*  (a 
phrase  used  for  frost-bitten,  or  frozen)  that  when  I  came  to  my 
friend  ^    .  Tilley's,  I  had  to  sit  some  time  by  the  fire  before  the  ice 
could  be  suirii  icntly  thawed  to  take  my  shoes  off.    I  could  do  nothing 
that  nigl't  though  much  wanted,  but  strive  to  rest  my  weary  limbs. 
"  Wednesday,  23.      To  day  I  went  half  way  to  Perlican,  and 
epent  the  night  in  the  woods  among  the  '  Tilts,'  where  several  of 
tli<'  inhabitants  reside   for  the  convenience  of  getting  fire-wood 
in  win'er,  and  materials  for  the  use  of  the  fishery  in  summer.     \\\ 
one  of  these  tilts,  I  held  a  prayer-meeting ;   and,  though  small,  it 
■will  be  remembered  by  some  who  were  present,  when  thc_   nave 
spent  ages  in  eternity.    On  the  24th  I  went  on  to  Pei Tican,  and  on 
the  morning  following  had  six  men  to  break  a  path  for  me  through 
the  snow  to  Island  Cove." 

Newfoundland  is  now  quite  a  different  place.  It  now 
has  fine  roads  along  the  shores  of  its  principal  bays, 
and  across  several  of  its  necks  ;  it  has  fine  horses,  with 
carriao-es  and  skncrhs,  —  comforts  which  the  fathers  of 
the  present  generation  never  knew.    Our  mniisters,  too, 
have  good  times  of  it.     They  can  remove  to  their  cir- 
cuits in   large  vessels  or  steamers.     They  can  travel 
their   circuits  on  horseback,  and   are  in  consequence 
exempt  from  those  exhausting  journeys  which  the  pio- 
neers of  Methodism  had  to  perform. 

We  congratulate  the  inhabitants  on  this  great  im- 
provement in  their  country,  and  hope  it  will  continue 
to  improve  ;  and  we  congratulate  our  brethren  on  the 
com[)arative  ease  with  which  their  circuit  labor  can  be 
performed,  and  the  leisure  they  have  for  study  and 
lor  pasioral  uulius,  anu  I'l^y  incu  iiii|.-iOTvit!^-...  .....^  — 

obvious,  and  "  their  profiting  may  appear  to  all.'* 


CHAPTER    XV. 


CUSIOMS  -  MOOB  OF  TnAN8P<>nT  -  DRI.NK.NO  HABITS  -  „OU8F8  -  OAR- 
PKN«_  WKm.KNOS  -  KtNEKAL8_  MTEHATUHE  -  KDUrATIO..,  -  C  " 
ALLI.O.N-BACKVILLE  ACADEMY- ST.  JOHNS  ACADEMY. 

"EVERYTHING  was  brought  to  the  "  stage-head  '' 
XJ  111  boats,  and  as  there  Avere  no  carts  andl^ut  veiy 
few  horses,  human  muscular  pow^i  v-ould  have  to  do 
the  trucking.    The  dry  fish  wou'd  be  curried  down  from 
the  fish-house  in  the  hand-barrov  ;  ,nd  i\v.  oil-casks  filled 
in  the  od-house  were  rolled  to  tht  sfo-^.-head  and  par- 
buckled into  the    boat.     The   parbuckle    is  a   double 
rope  passed  round  a  cask,  one  end  of  which  is  made 
fast,  and  the  other  end  is  hauled  upon,  by  which  the 
cask  IS  made  to  roll  either  up  or  down  the  stage-head, 
bait  IS  hauled  up  with  a  block  and  tackle  and  carried 
m    a   hand-barrow.      Molasses  is  parbuckled   up   the 
stage-head   then  rolled  to  the  store.     Coals  are  hauled 
and  earned  „,  a  covel,  -  that  is,  a  barrel  with  a  stron. 
stake  passed  through  or  near  the  upper  hoops.     Flour 
IS  parbuckled  up,  and  then  slung  upon  a  stake  and  ear- 
ned between  two  men.     Lumber  and  wood  are  handed 
up  and  carried  upon  men's  shoulders. 

DRINKING    HABITS. 

Fifty  years  ago  spirituous  Jiquor,  particularly  rum, 
was  considered  almost  a  necessary  of  life.  The" fisher- 
man could  not   do  without  it.     How  could  he  stand 

tiie  pitiless  Dek'r»(»   r^P  *iv«   -^         " 

f      -  :»  ^ci....g   „,    ^,,^  aturm,      witiiout  a  iittlo 

(347) 


i! 


i    iiij 


348         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 

drop  of  rum  to  keep  the  cold  out?  When  he 
went  off  to  the  fishing-ground,  he  must  have  a  little 
for  good  luck ;  when  he  came  in  with  a  good  '-  put 
of  fish,"  he  must  take  a  horn  for  joy.  If  it  were  a 
warm  day,  he  could  not  take  a  drink  of  water,  be- 
cause it  would  make  *him  sick,  and  to  avoid  such  a  ca- 
tastrophe in  the  fishing  season,  he  must  put  a  little  rum 
in  the  water,  or  take  a  drink  of  calebogus,  which  is  rum 
and  spruce  beer.  This  was  his  favorite  drink.  If  he 
were  about  to  take  a  journey  in  the  winter,  he  must 
take  a  little  before  he  left,  to  keep  the  cold  out,  and  a 
pocket  jnstol  (a  small  bottle)  he  must  take  with  him, 
lest  he  should  be  overtaken  in  a  snow-storm  and  per- 
ish ;  and  if  he  got  frozen,  there  was  nothing  like  rum  to 
wash  the  part  with.  If  a  tradesman  were  employed,  he 
must  have  three  drinks  a  day  ;  or  what  he  called  his 
morning^  his  eleven^  and  his  evening.  If  there  was  a 
house-raising,  or  even  a  church-raising,  there  must  be 
rum.  If  a  friend  called,  he  must  take  a  drink  ;  and  if 
he  called  upon  his  friend,  the  act  was  reciprocated. 
Rum  was  plentifully  supplied  at  weddings,  and  almost 
equally  so  at  funerals.  Wines  and  spirits  were  in 
every  house,  and  in  many  of  the  merchants'  houses 
they  were  used  in  great  proflision.  One  man,  an 
agent  in  a  northern  harbor,  used  to  say,  that  he  al- 
lowed a  puncheon  of  rum  a  year  for  the  use  of  his  own 
household.  To  the  west,  the  merchants  and  agents 
would  sometimes,  as  they  were  wont  to  express  it, 
*'  give  each  other  a  benellt : "  that  meant,  to  invite  a 
number  of  gentlemen  to  the  house,  and  try  which  could 
drink  most  before  he  was  drunk.  One  of  these  dissi- 
pated men  once  told  the  writer,  "  what  a  benefit  he 
had  given  his  friends  recently."  "I  would  drink," 
said  he,  "  go  out,  be  sick,  return,  drink  again,  so  that 


DRINKING    HABITS. 


849 


I  soon  laid  them  under  table,  while  I  could  do  mv  busi- 
ness  as  usual."  But  let  it  be  recorded,  that  this  man 
died  m  the  prime  of  life  from  the  effects  of  his  dissi- 
pated habits. 

Vessels  from  Newfoundland  traded  with  most  of  the 
countries  where  inebriating  drinks  were  manufactured, 
and  brought  them  to   the  island  in  large  quantities. 
Kich  wmes  were  brought  from  Madeira  and  Oporto  • 
sweet  wine  from  Malaga ;  cordials  from  Hamburcr  ;  rum' 
from  the  West  Indies ;  French  brandy  from  St.  Pe- 
ter's;  besides  all  that  was  imported  from  Great  Britain 
and  Ireland.     Such  importation  had  a  fearful  hold  upon 
the  community.     Moderate  drinking  no  one  thouo-ht 
wrong  at  that  time ;  absolute  drunkenness  was  indeed 
condemned,  but  it  was  always  palliated  witL  the  ex- 
pression, "  He  has  got  a  little  drop  too  much,  —  never 
mind  him." 

Twice  was  the  writer  in  danger  from  the  use  of  rum 
on  the  part  of  drunken  skippers.  The  following  en- 
tries appear  on  his  journal : 

"  Nov.  11,  1820.     Left  Harbor  Grace  at  8  o'clock  for  Portugal 
Cove ;  It  blew  a  gale  of  wind  from  the  S.  W.     Our  skipper  was 
much  under  the  influence  of  strong  drink,  when  he  came  on 
boanl     When  about  half  passage  he  took  more  rum,  which  total- 
ly unfitted  him  for  managing  the  boat.    We  arrived  off  the  east- 
ern  end  of  Belle  Isle,  when  it  blew  a  perfect  hurricane.    Portu^^al 
Cove  was  full  in  view,  but  our  skipper  swore  it  was  Belle  Isle 
and  he  put  the  helm  up  to  go  round  it.     Our  danger  was  now 
immment;   the  men  refused  to  obey  their  skipper,  the  sea  was 
beatmg  over  us  and  filling  our  boat,  and  we  were  rapidly  driving 
out  toward  the  ocean.     A  young  man,  a  passenger,  ran  aft,  and 
pretended  to  jom  in  opinion  with  the  skipper,  when  he  adroitly 
pushed  h.s  hand  from  the  tiller ;  he  rolled  to  '  leeward ; '  and,  be- 
mg  helpless,  was  unable  to  rise.    In  the  mean  time  we  « hauled  our 
wind,    and  'fetched  the  Cove.'    Thus,  by  the  kind  providence 
01  our  heavenly  lather,  were  we  ail  saved  from  a  watery  arave 


\ 


I      i  .*  i  !l 


850 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


"  August  14th,  1826.  Left  Burin  for  the  Flat  Islands  at  six 
o'clock.  The  boat's  crew  consisted  of  only  two  men,  both  Romaa 
Catholics.  There  were  a  bottle  of  rum  on  board  and  a  kes  of 
spruce  beer.  When  we  got  out  into  the  bay,  the  men  began  to 
mix  the  rum  and  spruce  beer,  and  drink  freely  of  this  cale- 
bogus.  The  wind  began  to  freshen,  and  we  were  running  among 
the  reefs.  One  of  the  men  said  to  me,  '  Parson,  you  don't  drink 
with  us ;  you  had  better  take  a  drop  of  calebogus  to  keep  out  the 
cold.'  In  an  instant  the  thought  struck  me  what  to  do.  I  replied, 
'  Thank  you  ;  have  you  any  rum  in  the  bottle  ?  *  '  Oh,  yes,  there 
is  plenty  for  your  reverence.'  I  stooped  down  and  emptied  the 
bottle  into  the  bilge-water  ;  pouied  some  spruce  beer  into  the 
basin,  stood  up,  and  with  the  usual,  '  Here  is  a  good  time  to  usj* 
boldly  took  my  drink  of  spruce  beer.  Soon  my  companions  were 
either  cold  or  thirsty  again,  but  the  rum  was  all  gone,  so  they  had 
to  drink  the  spruce  beer  alone.  But  they  could  not  think  of  that. 
Presently  one  of  the  men,  arousing  from  a  sort  of  revery,  said  : 
*  Pat,  the  merchants  in  Burin  are  great  rogues ;  they  sell  their 
rum  too  high,  so  that  we  could  only  get  one  bottle  for  our  trip.  I 
think  one  or  two  of  us  had  better  join  and  get  a  puncheon  of  rum, 
and  then  we  should  have  plenty.  But  it  is  no  use  talking ;  here 
is  a  terrible  night  coming  on,  and  we  have  not  a  drop  of  rum 
on  board ;  let  us  haul  our  wind,  and  get  into  Paradise ;  we  will 
get  some  rum  there.'  I  remonstrated  ;  besides,  I  added, '  Paradise 
is  a  rather  singular  place  to  look  for  rum  ; '  but  remonstrance  was 
useless ;  my  companions  could  not  think  of  perishing  for  a  drop 
of  rum,  when  they  might  get  their  wants  supplied  in  Paradise, 
which  we  could  reach  with  but  little  effort.  We  made  the  effort, 
but  just  as  we  got  to  the  entrance  of  the  harbor,  the  wind  blew  so 
violently,  that  we  were  obliged  to  bear  up,  and  run  into  the  Flat 
Islands'  Harbor  in  the  night,  whore  we  struck  upon  a  sand-bank, 
and  the  ebb  tide  left  us  dry.  The  next  flood  took  us  off,  and 
through  mercy  we  landed  in  safety." 


The  use  of  exhilarating  drink  was  then  a  universal 
practice  ;  and  fond  parents  often  unthinkingly  taught 
their  children  the  habit,  by  giving  them  a  little  drop  in 
a  teaspoon  when  they  were  in  their  infancy.      Cowper 


f  rqiiolat': 


Ur 


\£\**'ci      I  I  m  ^1 


*    |-»   «  ^K   1^         J-J    J\.f^  .^^  •••    l-k  r 


;i.  3  xiiau,   vTiiiv;u  ucsv;i.iuco 


.^Mi^m^K 


DRINKING     HABITS. 


351 


this  custom  exactly.     Phoenix  is  represented  as  address- 
mg  Achilles  in  the  following  words :  — 

"  Nor  wouldst  thou  taste  thy  food  at  home,  till  first 
I  placed  thee  on  my  knees,  with  mv  own  hand 
Thy  viands  carved,  and  fed  thee,  and  the  wine 
Held  to  thy  lips;  and  many  a  time  in  fits 
Of- infant  frowardness,  the  purple  juice 
Rejecting,  thou  hast  deluged  all  my  vest 
And  filled  my  bosom." 

The  evil  was  a  shocking  enormity.     We  have  seen 
the  fond  parent  present  the  wine  or  diluted  spirits  to 
the  infant  lips,  which,  as  in  the  case  of  Achilles,  was 
at  first  rejected,  but  afterwards  was  drunk  with  avidity 
We  have  seen  the  parent  himself,  only  a  moderate 
drinker,  teach  his  youthful  son  to  take  a  little  in  mod- 
eration, and  we  have  seen  that  youth,  when  arrived  at 
manhood,  become  a   confirmed    drunkard,  and   when 
reproved  by  his  father,  now  heartbroken    because  of 
his    son's    delinquencies,    would   reply:    « It   is   vour 
fault;  you  taught  me  the  habit  of  drinkincr,  a,       \e 
guilt  IS  yours."      We  have  seen  the   young  man    of 
education  and  promise,—  onewho  had  already  employed 
his  talent  in  public  speaking,  and  seemed  likely,  at  no 
great  distance  of  time,,  to  fill  a  high  judicial  position  in 
his  native  land  ;  but   his   once   temperate   habit  gave 
way  to  excess,  and  while  yet  a  youth  he  was  broucrht  to 
a  drunkard's  grave.     We  have  seen  the  talented  medi- 
cal man,  who  was  well  acquainted  with  the  chemical 
properties  of  alcoholic  drinks  ;  who  would  forbid  their 
use  to  his  parents ;  but  he  took  a  little  to  stimulate  him 
when  under  fatigue,  the  habit  grew   upon   him,   until 
taken  with  delirum  tremens,  when  he  died  in  ao-ony 
and  despair.     And  we  have  known  the  Christian  min- 
ister of  acknowledged  piety,  and  commanding  talent; 
he  at  first  took  a  simple  glass  with  a  friend  ;  the  habit 


i 


352 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


!  I- 


gained  upon  lilm,  until  at  last  he  forfeited  his  station 
in  the  ministry,  brought  disgrace  upon  the  cause  of 
religion,  became  a  stumbling-block  to  many,  was  ex- 
pelled from  the  church  of  which  he  had  once  been 
the  revered  pastor,  with  no  prospect  before  him,  but 
wretchedness,  ruin,  misery,  and  death. 

With  this  gigantic  evil  Wesleyan  ministers  had  to  * 
contend  in  all  parts  of  Newfoundland.  In  thousands 
of  instances  the  victory  was  on  the  part  of  religion  and 
truth.  We  are  thankful  that  a  different  state  of  things 
now  exists,  and  different  views  are  entertained  by  large 
portions  of  the  population  in  Newfoundland ;  that 
our  hardv  fishermen  there  now  see  that  rum  is  not 
good  either  to  keep  the  cold  out,  or  the  heat  out ;  that 
it  is  an  evil  as  a  beverage,  and  injurious  as  a  simulant ; 
that  more  work  can  be  done  without  it  than  with  it ; 
that  its  use  at  funerals  is  a  cruelty,  and  at  weddings 
an  absurdity  ;  and  that  the  drinking  habits  of  society 
are  an  unmitigated  evil,  and  ought  universally  to  be 
abandoned.  We  congratulate  our  friends  in  New- 
foundland upon  the  change  in  public  opinion  as  to  the . 
supposed  utility  of  inebriating  stimulants. 

Moderate  drinking  often  leads  to  drunkenness,  which 
has  brought  more  poverty  into  helpless  families,  been 
the  fruitful  source  of  more  crimes,  hurled  down  more 
men  from  rank  and  influence,  has  filled  more  jails  and 
lunatic  asylums,  brought  more  dishonor  upon  Christian 
ministers  and  Christian  churches,  has  brought  more 
human  beings  to  a  premature  grave,  sunk  more  men 
and  women  into  the  gulf  of  fire,  than  has  any  other 
single  crime  of  which  human  nature  has  ever  been 
guilty. 

HOUSES. 

The   houses   in   the   out-harbor  were   all   built   of 


■I 


HOUSES. 


853 


s  ever  been 


all    built   of 


wood ;  the  better  sort  were  neatly  sliingled ;  the  com- 
mon  liouses,   or  tilts,    were   covered  with   boards,   or 
spruce  rinds.     In  entering  tlie  liouse,  on  the  one  liand 
was  a  neat  parlor,  and  on  the  otlier  hand   a  kitchen 
witli^  a  very  large  fireplace  called  the  "  chimney-cor- 
ner."    A  neat  carpet  would  cover  the  parlor,  but  the 
kitchen-floor  would  be  covered  with  a  blue  sand  taken 
from  the  sea-shore,  and  prettily  drawn  into  diagonal 
ines,  with  a  broom,  by  the  skill   of   the  industrious 
housewife.       One    or    two   sleeping-rooms    would    be 
found  on  the  ground  floor ;  but  the  dormitories  for  the 
family  would    generally  be    upstairs.      The  furniture 
was  plain,  and  the  beds  always  clean  and  comfortable. 
The    merchants'    houses   were   good    buildings,   well 
finished  and  well  furnished. 

Cooking-stoves  were  then  unknown.     The  fire  .was 
made  upon  the  hearth,  and  the  wood  supported  by  doa- 
n-ons.     If  the  fire  required  a  second  tier  of  wood.  It 
was   supported   upon  the  lower  tier,   by  small  sticks 
called  triggers,  which  were  placed  crossways.     A  larae 
stick  was  placed  against  the  back,  a  smaller  one  Tn 
front,  and  a  lesser  one  still  in  the  middle.     The  wood 
was  sometimes  quite  green,  and  hence  makinc  a  fire 
was  quite  an  art,  and  required  back-junks,  forejunks, 
middle-junks,  triggers,  splits,  and  brands*;  and  the  fish- 
ermen would  sometimes  say  whoever  can  build  a  good 
fire  with  green  fir  can  build  a  boat. 

Across  the  chimney,  some  seven  or  eight  feet  from 
the  hearth,  was  a  bar  of  wood  or  iron,  called  the  pot- 
bar.  On  this  pot-bar  was  hung  the  cotterall  and  pot- 
hooks, which  sustained  the  vessels  med  for  culinary 
purposes.  Nobody  had  an  oven,  but  baking  was  all 
clone  m  the  bake-pot.  The  food  would  not  always  sat- 
Ls.y  the  appetite  of  the  epicure,  but  it  was  eenerallv 

80*  fe  J 


i 


Mi 

i 


354         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 

substantial  and  good.  In  the  winter  we  would  get 
fresh  beef,  but  in  the  summer  season,  salt  meat  was 
generally  used.  Bread,  tlifit  is,  sea  biscuit,  was  always 
on  the  tabl. ,  and  soft  bread,  or  the  raised  loaf,  was 
used  when  the  mistress  had  time  to  bake  it.  Fish, 
cooked  in  some  v/ay,  was  nsed  at  almost  every  meal, 
but  the  toasted  fish  was  traly  delicious.  Spruce  beer 
was  in  every  house,  and  was  freely  used  by  the  pec^ple. 
The  absence  of  scurvy  in  tlie  country  may  })erhaps,,  in 
part,  be  attributed  to  the  free  use  of  the  black-spruce 
beer. 

Here  let  me  bear  my  sincere  and  unreserved  testi- 
mony to  the  universal  kindness  and  hospitality  of  tlje 
Newfoundlanders.  I  never  heard  of  a  lS'e\?founu- 
lander  closing  'cs  liloor  to  the  stranger,  refusing  the 
contents  of  his  lartler  to  tlie  hungry,  or  tying  his  purse- 
strings  when  the  cvilis  of  religion  and  humanity  were 
made  upon  him.  He  is  liberal  according  to  his  means, 
and  I  have  seen  in  a  case  of  famine,  which  I  shall 
hereafter  mention,  a  poor  man  and  a  poor  widow  shar- 
ing their  last  morsel  with  their  necessitous  and  starving 
neighbors.  To  their  ministers  they  were  always  kind. 
If  any  httle  nicety  came  into  their  possession,  it  was 
sure  to  be  kej^t  until  the  preacher  came  ;  and  for  the 
fourteen  years  that  I  travelled  there,  I  never  paid  a 
cent  for  travelling  expenses,  except  in  the  packet  across 
Conception  Bay. 

GARDENS. 

Near  the  house  is  the  garden,  enclosed  either  with  a 
picket  or  a  wattle  fence.  The  garden  seldom  con- 
tains much  variety ;  potatoes  and  other  culinary  veoreta- 
bles,  with  a  few  currants  and  gooseberries,  wouhi  -  n- 
erally  fill  the  catalogiiO.     The  women  do  aiost  of  the 


IIES. 

I  would  get 

t  meat  was 

was  always 

id  loaf,  was 

3  it.     Fish, 

3 very  meal, 

Spruce  beer 

the  people. 

})erhaps,  in 

)lack-spruce 

served  resti- 
ality  of  the 
l^ewfound- 
efusing  the 
g  his  purse- 
lanity  were 
»  his  means, 
lich  I  shall 
vidow  shar- 
,nd  starving 
Iways  kind, 
ion,  it  was 
and  for  the 
ever  paid  a 
acket  across 


WEDDINGS— FUNERALS. 


or  '■ 


ither  with  a 
eldom  con- 
lary  veo;eta- 
wouhi  '■■  n- 
iiiiost  it  the 


were  some  few  persons  who  kept  a  cow  or  cows   and 
n.deaj.le  tuner.   ,.,„ats-™nk  was  „se;\:1 

WEDDING5. 

A  wedding  in  an  out-harbor  was  quite  an  affair 
Neither  a  hcense  nor  the  publication  of  banns  was  rl! 
qmred  for  the  performance  of  marriage ;  and  frequTnl^ 

arnved   at   the   m.ssion.house.      The    ceremony   was 
usua%  performed  in  the  church,  when  the  fla"  wolld 

would  assemble  to  see  the  "couple  made  happy." 
As  soon  as  the  party  came  out  of  church,  a  numW 
of  guns  would  be  fired  over  the  heads  of  th;  bride  and 
bndegroom,  and  also  over  the  head  of  the  parson  as  a 

ih'7  f  r" ''  --o-»y -peateT  „ ;;;: 

reached  the  house.  Here  the  invitation  would  be 
given  to  dmner,  which  would  sometimes  be  so  generd 
as  to  .nclude  all  hands.  At  the  dinner  there  wer!  gre^ 
profusion  and  drinking,  as  was  then  the  custom  ;  but 

kutf  "t  "T  f  ^  """'<=  P--  --  ""t 

to  inTi.  "''  ""'  ""^  '"'''''  "^  *«  Newfoundlanders 
to  msult  or  annoy  any  person;  much  less  would  they 
do  so  m  the  presence  of  their  minister. 

FDNEKAIS 

Were  always  attended  by  large  bodies  of  people  ; 
and  particularly  was  this  the  case  if  the  deceased  were 
an  aged  person,  or  much  respected  in  the  community. 
bpTits  ana  sweet-cake  were  given  at  the  house  The 
corpse  w.is  ah  •        • 


\K\ 


i\ 


Iways  taken  into  the  church,  wher 


e  two 


356         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSION  AKIKS. 

lessons  and  the  whole  funeral  service  were  read,  and  the 
entire  matter  made  as  ceremonious  and  as  imposing  as 
possible.     A  funeral  sermon  must  always  be  preached  ; 
and  however  the  person  might  have  lived  and  died,  it 
was   expected   the   preacher   would   preach   him   into 
heaven.     Aad,  in  order  to  secure  this,  sonje  one  would 
go  to  the  preacher  just  before  he  entered  the  church, 
and  tell  him,  what  perhaps  neither  he  nor  any  one  else 
ever  knew  before,  about  the  goodness  of  the  deceased, 
what  he  did  and  what  he  said  while  sick,  and  expect 
all  this  and  a  great  deal  more  in  praise  of  the  dead 
would  be  repeated   from  the  pulpit.      Sometimes  the 
party  calling  upon  the  preacher  would  have  very  low 
views  of  experimental  religion,  or  what  was  compre- 
hended in  "  dying  in  the  Lord."*    Once  the  writer  was 
called  upon  by  a  man  to  attend  the  obsequies  of  his 
wife,  and  he  wished  a  very  good  character  to  be  given 
of  the  deceased ;  but  all  the  information  he  gave  was 
she  had  been  a  good  wife,  had  diligently  attended  to  her 
domestic  concerns,  and  had  taken  care  of  his  property. 
Not  feeling  much  disposed  to  repeat  this  in  the  pulpit, 
because   he  doubted  its  truth,  the  bereaved  husband 
in  the  exuberance  of  his  conjugal  affection,  repeatedly 
and  very  audibly  exclaimed  while  the  service  was  going 
on,  "Oh,  she  was  a  good  wife,  she  never  robbed  me,  nor 
plundered  me,  and  besides  she  was  such  a  fine  hand 
for  the  garden  !  " 

Funeral  sermons  are  preached  all  over  these  prov- 
inces, as  well  as  in  Newfoundland ;  and  the  practice 
seems  to  have  originated  when  the  population  was 
sparse,  and  when  the  preacher's  visits  were  like  angels' 
visits,  ."  few  and  far  Ijetween."  When  the  scattered 
inhabitants  were  collected  at  the  funeral  of  a  friend,  it 
was  certainly  both  a  wise  and   good   arrangement  to 


FUNERALS. 


857 


preach  to  them  the  words  of  hTe  and  salvation.     But 
in  places  where  ministers  are  reguhirly  stationed,  the 
same  necessity  does  not  now  exist ;  yet  tlie  same  prac- 
tice IS  still  followed.     If  the  deceased  had  been  emi- 
nent^  pious,  or  died  very  happy,  it  is  a  deligiitful  duty 
for  the  minister  to  tell  the  congregation  how  that  soul 
was  saved,  and  went  triumphant  home  to  God  ;  but  if 
the  individual   had  notoriously  lived  without  religion, 
had  died  in  sin,  or  had  given  no  satisfactory  evidence 
of  having  experimental  converting  grace,  what  can  the 
preacher  say  ?     To  tell  the  people  he  believes  the  de- 
ceased  had  gone  to  heaven  would  be  contrary  to  his 
conscientious  conviction  ;    and   to  point  thereto  as  a 
warning  to  others,  would  be  to  offer  an  insult  to  the 
whole  family  connection.    When  the  minister  does  say 
anything  about  the  dead,  it  sometimes  happens  that  one 
party  will  complain,  "  The  preacher  did  not   say  as 
much  about  my  friend  as  he  might  have  said; "  while 
another  party  would  tauntingly  reply,  "  If  the  preacher 
had  known  as  much  as  I  know,  he  would  not  have  said 
what  he  did.  '     Would  it  not  be  better,  as  a  general 
thing,  to  call   preaching,  at   such   times,   sermons   at 
funerals,  rather  than  funeral  sermons  ? 

In  the  year  1786, -the  very  year  John  McGeary 
was    appointed   missionary   to   Newfoundland,  -  Mr 
Wesley  gave  the  following  advice   to  the   preachers,* 
which,  having   been   sanctioned  by  the  conference,  is 
our  Methodistic  law  ;  — 

"Never  preach  a  funeral  sermon,  but  for  an  eminently  holy 

tor  hire.    Beware  of  panegyric,  particularly  in  London." » 


*  Minutes  of  Conference  for  1786. 


I 

I 


858 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


f 


s. 


LITERATURE. 


Of  this  we  cannot  say  much  in  referenf^e  to  the  times 
of  which  we  are  writing.  The  adult  population  in  the 
out-harbors  had  not  in  their  youth  the  educational  ad- 
vantages whicfi  are  expoilenced  by  children  in  the 
present  day.  They  Imd  cnrr;'  froir  the  rural  popula- 
tion of  England,  In^Iaud,  and  Scotland,  and  the  Chan- 
nel Islands  ;  and,  vvliile  those  countries  were  then,  as 
now,  the  land  of  light  and  knowledge  to  the  wealthy, 
yet  they  presented  but  few  opport..'  ..  ;.<••  the  poor 
to  acquire  even  the  commonest  branches  of  education. 
It  were  folly  to  expect  anything  else  than  that  those 
uneducated  liritish  emigrants  would  bring  with  them 
their  national  peculiarities,  and  their  provincial  dialects, 
which  notninff  but  education  could  remove.  But  it  is 
questionable,  after  all,  whether  their  ignorance  \yas 
more  palpable  than  was  the  ignorance  of  the  peasantry 
in  the  districts  from  whence  they  en  Igrated  ;  and  cer- 
tain it  is,  the  pronunciation  of  the  English  languag 
bv  the  fi^^hermen  is  no  way  inferior  to  the  pronunciation 
as  heard  in  many  country  places  in  their  father-land. 
There  was  a  fault  somewhere.  That  fault  was  not  in 
the  people.  They  could  not  educate  themselves ;  and, 
when  by  their  hard  labor  and  industr  they  had  acquired 
means  to  pay  for  the  'ucH''on  of  heir  cl  Idren,  the 
teachers  were  not  within  their  reach.  Neitlier  religion 
nor  learning  is  innate  *li  the  humrn  mind.  Every 
child  born  into  our  world  is  both  ignorant  and  wickerl ; 
so  that  both  learning  and  religion  are  to  be  acquired. 
And,  as  Newfoundland  then  \v  '  no  ^eachers  of  her 
own,  they  must  be  found  elsev*  r'  yea,  they  nust 
come  from  the  very  country  froixi  whence  the  people 
themselves  had  emigrated. 


IE3. 


LITERATURE. 


859 


0  tlie  times 
ition  in  the 
ational  ad- 
•en  in  the 
nil  popul.i- 

1  the  Chan- 
ire  then,  as 
lie  wealthy, 
,v  tlie  poor 
'  education. 

that  tliose 
with  them 
•ial  dialects, 
.  But  it  is 
orance  >yas 
e  peasantry 
I ;  and  cer- 
ih  lan^uao;"^ 
enunciation 
father-land. 
t  was  not  in 
lelves ;  and, 
lad  acquired 
liiidren,  the 
her  religion 
nd.  Every 
.nd  wicked  ; 
»e  acquired. 
Iiers  of  her 
they  nust 
the  peonlo 


In  the  early  Instory  of  the  cor   ^ry,  one  cause  of 
fanit  was  m  the  E„glish  morcha,.      who,  whUo  they 
ga.no(    ahn,«   boundless  wealth    tl.rough  their  New- 
ioundland  trade,  yet  would  not  pay  one  penny  for  the 
moral  or  .ntelleetnal  improvement  of  the  people,  but 
whose  niaNun  seems  to  have  been,  "  Keep  the  fisher- 
men unlettered  and  i„  ignorance,  then  we  can  rule 
the  n,  and  proht  by  our  trade."     The  other  cause  of 
hm  t  was  the  supineness  of  the   Christian  church  in 
Bntam    who,   while  the  children   of  their   land  had 
through  necessity  been  compelled  to  seek  the  means  of 
gannng  a  hvmg  by  the  toils  of  a  Newfoundland  fisherv, 
had  totally  neglected  to  supply  them  with  the  benefim 
of  an  evangelical  n.inistry,  or  send  them  teachers  for 
tiie  education  of  their  children. 

The  Newfoundland  mind  is' the  English  mind;  and 
many  of  the  so,, ,  of  our  hardy  fishermen,  if  tl^.;  had 
the  opportunity,  would  master  the  whole  curriculum 
of  university  study,  and  matriculate  with  as  much 
honor  as  any  roeluse  of  Oxford  or  Cambrid<re. 

h„     :   'T"',"  ',"  Trinity  Bay,  in  his  childlmod,  had 
been  tan.,  u  but  httle  more  than  the  alphabet ;  but  he 
taught    „u  elf  to  read.     He  read  theology,  biography, 
h.  tory,  and        -ry.     ^Vith  Milton,  Young,  Cowper 
Thomson    Pollock      nd  other  English  poets,  he  was 
very  fa„„liar;  and,  without  a  teacher,  he  acquired  a 
knowledge  of  arithmetic,  geography,  astronomy,  trig- 
onometry, and  navigation  ;   and,  had  classical  bo,„.s 
and  books  on  other  sciences  be.,   within  his  reach,  he 
would  have  mastered  them  ilso. 

As  few  people  could  tiien  read,  books  were  .carce, 
but  ,vhat  books  were  found  were  always  of  an  .ustruc- 

11  "1     r'''"'   '''"'''"^''"■-     ^^-"""g  <""      ™  people 
where  books  were  ,o,..nd,  we  wemsur.  to  .e.  Wiley's 


860 


NEWFOUKDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


hi 


Appeal,  Wesley's  journals,  or  his  sermons  ;  sometimes 
the  whole  of  his  works.  Also,  Fletcher's  Appeal,  his 
Checks,  or  the  whole  of  his  works.  Mrs.  Stretton,  the 
relict  of  the  gentleman  whose  name  has  previously  oc- 
curred in  this  narrative,  had  a  very  excellent  library. 
She  had  the  whole  of  Wesley's  works  in  sixteen 
volumes,  his  Christian  Library,  in  fifty  duoderimo  vol- 
umes, his  philosophical  works ;  also,  Fletcher's  works 
complete,  all  our  magazines,  with  some  autograph 
letters  from  Mr.  Wesley,  together  with  a  choice  col- 
lection of  history,  travels,  biogi'aphy,  and  other  books 
of  a  similar  character  and  tendency. 

Forty  years  since  there  were  two  newspapers  pub- 
•  lished  in  St.  John,  "  The  Royal  Gazette,"  and  "  The 
Public  Ledger."    Mr.  Winton,  the  editor  of ''  The  Pub- 
lic Ledger,"  was  an  intelligent,  and  a  courageous  man, 
and  for  his  courage  in  exposing  some  of  the  doings  of 
the  Roman  Catholic  priesthood,  ho  was  waylaid    be- 
tween Harbor  Grace  and  Carbonear,  by  a  number  of 
men  in  masks,  who  knocked  him  down  and  cut  off 
both  his  ears  close  to  his  head,  and  left  him  weltering 
in  his  blood.     He  recovered,  however,  and  attacked 
the  evils,  to  which  he  had  previously  called  the  pub- 
lic  attention,  with  more  determination  than   he  had 
ever  done.     He  wore  a  pair  of  artificial  ears,  made  of 
velvet,   after  this  event.     Several  other  papers  have 
come  into  existence,  since  1825,  and  are  generally  con- 
ducted with  considerable  tact  and  talent. 

EDUCATION. 

The  first  movement  to  obtain  a  seminary  of  learning 
under  Wesleyan  influence,  and  for  the  benefit  of  the 
youth  connected  with  the  Wesleyan  church  in  the 
inwor  nrovinnes   was  at  thf  Nova  Scotia  District  meet- 


i"--"  TT  r_'j 


EDUCATION. 


neons  man, 


I 


ing,   held   In.  Windsor  in    the   month   of  May 
"'ion    It    was    nnanimonsly   resolved 


wl 


861 

1828, 


to    establish 


„„^-   „.,        p  I         .  •'    *""""^^«»    I"    esraoiis  1    a 

cminaiy  of  |„„n„„g  un.l.r  the  auspice,  of  the  Wc 
<^-an  Sonotv,  f„r  the  an.o™,„,,,„ion  of  the  ohihl,!^ 
"f  .her  „.„„e,-o„s  friend,  in  this  and  the  nel«hl,o  n« 
lHOv,„<.es  and  a  eonnnittee  was  appointed  ,„  sole  t  f 
smtable  place  for  the  institution. 

This  cominittee  mot  at  Halifax  on  the  21,1  of  Miv 
follo,vn,s  (1829),  and  the  circular  on  the  subTe^I 
reached  Newfoundland  early  i„  the  autumn.  F  „ 
u,  circular  we  learn,  that  the  committee  consisted  of 
1  ""f-T,  ■""■  f'^^'  ^'•"^<=™"'"-"'  »■■''  Youn.,  also 
M..rt,n  G.  Black  and  John  Harvis,  as  correspondin-r 
hshment  of  an  mst.tufon  that  shonld  be  competent  to 

charge  wuhu.  the  means  of  persons  of  moderate  in- 
come,  ^u,  the  site  of  this  academy  was  soon  an 
msunu     difficulty;   gentlemen    from   Halifa.x, 

to  have  It  in  their  respective  localities.  Thus  the  ob- 
.lect  was  frustrated  and  the  matter  of  a  Wesleyan 
Sem.nary  was  kept  in  abeyance  ten  years  longer,  until 

Tn.  TV^'  '"=*"  "^  "'«  "ol'Ie-minded,  and 
samted  Charles  F.  Allison,  of  Sackville,  in  the  Province 
of  New  Brunswick,  to  give  a  large  portion  of  his 
property  to  found  an  institution  exactly  like  that  which 
had  been  contemplated  by  the  Nova  Scotia  preachers. 
Ihat  e.xcellent  man  expended  four  thousand  pounds 
in  the  erection  of  an  academical  institution,  which  for 
convenience,  for  chasteness  of  architecture,  and  beauty 
of  situation,  is  unsurpassed  by  any  similar  institutions 
in  these  provinces ;  and  munificen  '     ' 


81 


deeded  the  wholt 


!■ 


362         NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


with  seven  acres  of  land  to  trustees  forever,  for  edu- 
cational purposes. 

As  the  Sackville  institutions  are  now  so  identified 
with  the  well  working  of  Methodism  in  these  provinces, 
we  shall  be  excused  if  we  give  an  account  of  them 
more  in  detail. 

The  Sackville  Academy  was  properly  a  Centenary 
Gift,  for  it  was  presented  in  the  year  1839.  The  fol- 
lowing is  a  copy  of  the  letter  of  presentation :  — 

"  To  THE  Chairman  of  the  New  Brunswick  District. 

"  St.  John,  N.  B.,  Jan.  4th,  1839. 

"  Rev.  and  dear  SiVy  —  My  mind  has  of  late  been  much  im- 
pressed with  the  great  importance  of  that  admonition  of  the  wise 
man,  '  Train  up  a  child  in  the  way  he  should  go ;  and  when  he  is 
old,  he  will  not  depart  from  it.'  The  establishment  of  the  schools 
in  which  pure  religion  is  not  only  taught,  but  constantly  brought 
before  the  youthful  mind,  and  represented  to  it  as  the  basis  and 
groundwork  of  all  the  happiness  which  man  is  capable  of  enjoy- 
ing on  earth,  and  eminently  calculated  to  fonn  the  most  perfect 
character,  is  I  think,  one  of  the  most  efficient  means,  in  the  order 
of  Divine  Providence,  to  bring  about  the  hii-ppy  result  spoken  of 
by  the  wise  man. 

"  It  is  therefore,  under  this  impr  >^ion,  connected  with  a  persua- 
sion of  my  accountability  to  that  gracious  Being,  whom  I  Avould 
ever  recogni;;e  as  the  source  of  all  the  good  that  is  done  in  the 
earth,  that  I  now  propose  through  you  to  the  British  Conference, 
and  to  the  Wesleyan  missionaries  in  the  Provinces  of  New  Bruns- 
wick and  Nova  Scotia,  to  purchase  an  eligible  site,  and  erect  suita- 
ble buildings  in  Sa(;kville,  in  the  County  of  Westmoreland,  for 
the  establishment  of  a  school  of  the  description  mentioned,  in 
which  not  only  the  elementary  but  the  higher  branches  of  educa- 
tion may  be  taught ;  and  to  ba  altogether  under  the  management 
and  control  of  the  British  Conference,  in  connection  with  the 
Wesleyan  missionaries  in  these  provinces.  If  my  proposal  should 
be  approved  of,  and  the  offer  I  now  make,  accepted,  I  will  pro- 
ceed at  once  to  make  preparation,  so  that  the  buildings  may  be 
erected  in  thf  course  of  the  next  year ;  and  I  will  as  a  further 
inducement,  by  the  hlessinc  of  (iod,  give  toward  the  support  of 
the  school,  one  hundred  pounds  per  annum  for  t(?n  years. 


EDUCATION. 


363 


« I  Shall  be  gla.!  to  hear  that  my  offer  is  accepted,  and  to  Lave 
the  earhest  information  of  your  decision  on  the  subject. 

"  I  am,  Rev.  and  dear  Sir, 
u  T,        ,.r  rw,  "  Yours  sincerely, 

The  above  letter  was  laid  before  the  New  Bruns- 
wick District  Meeting,  held  in  St.  John  in  May,  1839  • 
and  Mr.  Allison  appeared  personally  before  the  Neva 
Scotia  District  and  made  the  same  proposition.  Both 
districts  thankfully  accepted  the  gift. 

Several  months  passed  before  all  the  preliminaries 
were  arranged,  and  the  plan  of  the  buildincr  deter- 
mined. But  on  the  17th,  of  January,  1840,  all  these 
matters  were  decided,  and  a  plan  of  a  neat  buildino- 
one  hundred  and  fifty  feet  in  length,  forty-five  Tn 
breadth,  and,  including  the  basement  stpry,  four  stories 
high,  was  laid  before  the  building  committee,  and  fully 
adopted.  "^ 

On  the  9th  day  of  June,  1840,  a  very  large  con- 
course of  people  assembled  at  Sackville  to  witness  the 
ceremony  of  laying  the  corner-stone  of  the  Wesleyan 
Academy.     The  religious  service  was  commenced  by 
the  Rev.  William  Temple,  Chairman  of  the  Dist-ict 
by  giving  out  the  526th  hymn :    »  Except   the  Lord 
conduct  the  plan  ;  "  after  which  prayer  was  offered  by 
the  Rev.  Richard  Knight.     Mr.  Temple  then  delivered 
the  mtroductory  address,  when  the  congregation  joined 
in   singing   the   737th    hymn:    -Thou,  who  hast   in 
^.lon  laid.        The  stone  was  now  i)laced  in  its  proi.er 
position,  when  Charles  F.  Allison  spoke  as  follows  :- 
^    ''The  foundation-stone  of  this  builrli„g  I  now  jjroceed  to  lav 
m  the  name  of  the  Holy  Trinity,  Father,  Son,  and  Holy  Ghost, 
and  may  the  education  ever  to  be  furnished  by  the  institution 
be  conducted  on  Wesleyan  principles,  to  the  glory  of  God.  and 
the  extension  of  his  cause.     Amen ! " 


864 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


I 


« 


iniii' 


mm 


'If 
w 


'  1 


The  excellent  lady  of  Mr.  Allison,  then  a  bride,  gave 
her  approval  of  her  husband's  act,  by  giving  the  stone 
a  final  blow  with  the  workman's  hammer.  Hymn  736 
was  given  out,  and  prayer  offered  by  the  Rev.  W.  Cros- 
combe ;  after  which,  short  addresses  were  given  by 
Rev.  Samson  Busby,  William  Croscombe,  George 
Miller,  and  WilHam  Wilson  ;  and  tliis  most  delightful 
service  closed  with  the  Doxology. 

On  the  19th  of  January,  1843,  Sackville  Academy 
was  first  opened,  and  its  career  of  usefulness  com- 
menced. It  was  the  day  of  small  things.  One  of  the 
class-rooms  held  the  whole  company.  There  were  five 
ministers  present,  as ""  follows :  Riclinrd  Williams, 
William  Wilson,  Richard  Shepherd,  Samuel  D.  Rice, 
and  Humphrey  Pickard,  also  C.  F.  Allison  and  lady. 
These,  with  a  Very  few  other  persons  as  visitors,  con- 
stituted the  entire  assembly.  An  hour  was  spent  in 
religious  exercises,  when  special  prayer  was  offered  for 
the  prosperity  of  the  institution.  After  the  close  of 
these  services,  the  names  of  the  students  were  taken 
down,  when  only  seven  persons  recorded  their  names. 

With  seven  students  did  the  Rev.  Humphrey 
Pickard  commence  his  academical  toil  as  Principal  of 
the  Institution,  which  by  his  constant  and  indefatigable 
attention,  and  judicious  management,  for  more  than 
twenty-one  years,  has  been  raised  to  its  present  emi- 
nence. 

But  the  number  of  students  rapidly  increased,  so 
that  by  the  month  of  April  thirty  names  were  found 
upon  the  list  of  the  institution.  Another  and  a  more 
formal  opening  of  the  academy  was  determined  upon, 
which  took  place  on  the  29tli  of  June  following. 
Upon  this  occasion,  the  company  assembled  in  the 
spacious  lecture-room,  which  was  nearly  filled.    Besides 


EDUCATION. 


365 


the  noble  founder,  C.  F.  Allison,  M^ere  also  present, 
the  Hon.  Messrs.  Botsford,  Crane,  and  Chandler  of 
New  Brunswick,  the  Hon.  Mr.  Prescott,  of  Nova 
Scotia,  with  a  large  number  of  ladies  and  gentlemen 
who  now  began  to  feel  an  interest  in  the  prosperity  of 
the  institution. 

At  ten  o'clock,  the  Rev.  Albert  Desbrisav,  the  gov- 
ernor, and  chaplain,  and  the   Rev.  H.  Pickard    the 
prmcpal,  entered,  followed  by  the  English  master,  the 
J^rench   tutor,  and  the  students.      After  singinc,  and 
prayer  by  Rev.  R.  Knight,  the  inaugural  address  was 
dehvered  by  the  prii>cipal,  -  an  address  characterized 
by  the  snnplicity  of  its  language,  the   elegance  of  its 
style  and  its  Christian  spirit,  _  and  at  once  convinced 
the  public  that  a  master-mind  was  at  the  head  of  the 
Sackyille  Academy,  and  that,  under  the  guidance  of 
It',  principal,  it  must  and  it  would  prosper. 

Addresses  were  also  delivered  bv  Rev.  C.  Churchill 
of  Yarmouth,  Rev.  A.  McNutt,  of  Sackville,  Rev  w' 
Croscombe,  of  Halifax,  Rev.  R.  Knight,  chairman  of 
the  Nova  Scotia  4)istrict,  Rev.  S.  Bush-   of  Point  de 
Bute,  and  Rev.  W.  Wilson,  of  Wallace.     The  tide  of 
prosperity  for  Sackville  Academy  began  to  flow  at  the 
close  of  Its  first  term,  in  the  year  1843,  and  it  has  had 
no  ebb  down  to  the  present  time,  1864,  but  has  contin- 
ued each  year  to  give  full  satisfaction  to  its   patrons 
and  constantly  to  gain  favor  in  the  estimation  of  the 
intelligent    of  all  the  lower   provinces.     Its   generous 
founder,  C.  F.  Allison,  besides  his  original  gift,  and  his 
continued   pecuniary  aid,    also   assisted   its    board    of 
trustees  with  his  wise  counsels,  and  employed  a  large 
portion  of  his    time   in    promoting  the  objects  of  the 
institution,  until  the  year  1859,  when  it  pleased  our 
heavenly  Father  to  call  him  to  l.i«  r^wa^fi 

31* 


366   .     NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   IT3    MISSIONARIES. 


in  great  peace,  and  the  benefit  he  lias  confen'od  upon 
these  provinces  will  never  die,  but  his  name  will  be 
cherished,  and  his  generous  act  will  be  kept  in  grateful 
remembrance  by  unborn  generations.  The  wise  man 
has  said,  "  The  memory  of  the  just  is  blessed  ;  "  and  a 
"  voice  from  heaven,"  has  proclaimed,  *'  Blessed  are  the 
dead  which  die  in  the  Lord  from  henceforth  :  yea  saith 
the  Spirit,  that  they  may  rest  from  their  labors ;  and 
their  works  do  follow  them." 

It  is  due  to  the  learned  principal,  to  say,  that  from 
the  very  commencement  of  the  institution,  he  has  had 
the  charge,  and  has  toiled  through  s\\  the  years  of  its 
existence ;  he  has  been  constantly  at  his  post ;  has 
plodded  on  under  many  difficulties  and  discourage- 
ments ;  he  has  justly  merited  for  himself  the  honora- 
ble title  of  D.  D. ;  he  has  educated  and  trained  the 
minds  of  hundreds  of  our  youths  many  of  whom  are 
now  filling  highly  important  and  re  stable  positions 
in  society.  Several  are  in  the  Chrisoan  ministry,  and 
several  have  died  happy,  whose  minds  were  first  relig- 
iously impressed  while  under  his  care,  and  Dr.  Pickard 
still  lives  and  labors  in  the  same  position.  May  his 
life  be  long  spared,  and  his  efforts  to  diffuse  sound 
education  and  correct  moral  principles  be  yet  more 
abundantly  owned  of  God. 

In  literary  matters  Sackville  has  progressed  to  aston- 
ishment. After  the  male  academy  had  been  in  suc- 
cessful operation  for  a  few  years,  the  friends  contem- 
plated a  like  institution  for  the  young  ladies,  toward 
which  large  subscriptions  were  raised  and  the  desired 
object  was  soon  attained.  At  this  present  time  there 
is  in  the  beautiful  village  of  Sackville,  beside  the  male 
academy,  and  nearly  opposite  to  it,  a  female  academy. 
The  l)uilding  is  spaci'/us,  the  rooms  are  high  and  well- 


EDUCATION. 


367 


fiimished    and  where  a  hundred  young  ladies  can  be 
comfortably  accommodated   with  board    and    lodcn'na 
Near   the   female   academy   is    an    elegant    buiklin^; 
called  Lingley  Hall.     Here  is  a  rich   and    well-tonS 
organ,  on  each  side  of  which  hangs  a  full-length  por- 
trait  -one  of  Dr.  Beecham,  the  first  president  of  the 
Eastern  British  American    Conference,  the   other   of 
C.  h    Allison,  Esq.,  the  founder  of  these  institutions. 
In  the  rear  of  these  buildings,  stands  Mount  Allison 
C^ollege,  a  more  recent  eR^^ction,  where  its  faculty  have 
power  to  confer  degrees,  and  the  curriculum  of  which 
will  in  no  way  be  inferior  to  that  of  any  other  colle- 
giate institution  in  the  i)rovinces.     Beside  this,  there 
IS  a  theological  professor  to  train  the  minds  of  those 
young  men  who  may  hereafter  be  employed  in  the  im- 
portant work  of  the  Christian  ministry. 

Thus  has  our  youthful  connection  ihe  apparatus  and 
appliances  for  imparting  a  thorough  education  to  our  ' 
youth  of  both  sexes,  and  of  giving  to  our  church  in 
future  years  an  enlightened  as  well  as  a  converted 
ministry,  certainly  not  inferior  to  that  possessed  by 
any  affiliated  conference  within  the  whole  range  of 
Methodism.  ^ 

In  the  benefits  of  the  Sackville  institution,  many  of 
the  Newfoundland  youth  have   participated,    as    they 
received  their  education  there.     Now,  however,  they 
have  academic  institutions  in  their  own  country,  so  that 
their  youth  will  not  need  so  generally  to  leave  their 
native  land   to  acquire  the  elements  of   a  sound  and 
thorough   education.     Thus  Newfoundland   is  rapidly 
rising  in  her  literary  reputation,  and  although  there  is 
still  much  of  ignorance  r-naining,  yet  she  has  made  a 
great  step  in  the  right  direction.      She  now  has  her 

academics       QnrT     «r.«      *-^aln     T ~.  i  1. 

,  „„.,  ._„n   -.lam  ucv  own  teachers;  she   has 


868         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

her  day  schools  established  in  very  many  places.  She 
has  her  native  legislators,  her  native  lawyers,  and  is 
beginning  to  supply  a  native  ministry  ;  and  we  hope 
the  time  is  not  far  distant  when  every  inhabited  cove 
shall  have  its  church  and  its  school-house,  and  when 
every  child  shall  be  instructed  and  educated. 

In  St.  Johns  there  is  a  very  excellent  and  prosper- 
ous Wesleyan  Academy ;  a  public  examination  of  which 
took  pkce  in  the  month  of  Jun^  last,  —  and  with  very 
great  pleasure  we  transfer  to  our  pages,  from  the  "  Pro- 
vincial Wesleyan,"  an  account  of  that  examination  as 
given  by  a  visitor  who  signs  his  name  Veritas. 

*'  On  Friday  last,  the  1 7th  inst.,  we  were  favored  with  another 
opportunity  of  witnessing  the  advancement  and  prosperity  of  the 
Wesleyan  Academy  in  this  town,  that  day  being  set  apart  for  the 
annual  examination  of  the  classes ;  and,  when  it  is  taken  into 
consideration  that,  although  the  academy  has  been  in  existence 
but  four  and  a  half  years,  one  hundred  and  sixty-one  pupils  have 
been  educated  wholly  or  in  part  within  it,  —  the  attendance  for 
the  past  year  sixty-eight,  —  nearly  one  hundred  of  whom  are 
scattered  in  different  parts  of  the  colony,  some  filling  positions  in 
mercantile  establishments,  others  engaged  in  the  onerous  and 
equally  important  duty  of  teaching,  surely  it  is  a  cause  of  great 
encouragement.  With  respect  to  the  examination,  I  take  the  fol- 
lowing from  our  local  papers  :  — 

" '  The  annual  examination  of  the  pupils  of  the  Wesleyan 
Academy  was  held  yesterday,  in  presence  of  the  Revs.  P.  Prest- 
wood  and  C.  Ladner,  the  directors,  and  a  number  of  the  parents 
and  lelatives  of  tha  pupils,  and  other  friends  of  education.  About 
sixty  pupils  were  present,  and  their  orderly  and  attentive  de- 
meanor, and  the  intelligent  interest  they  manifested  in  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  day,  indicated  the  character  of  the  institution  as 
one  in  which  the  training  is  intellectual  throughout,  and  not  merely 
mechanical,  as  was  the  case  in  too  many  schools  of  a  former  gen- 
eration. Classes  were  examined  in  Arithmetic,  Geography,  Latin, 
French,  and  Spanish. 
"  '  At  the  close  of  the  examinations,  both  forenoon  and  after- 


lES. 

ices.  She 
ers,  and  is 
d  we  hope 
ibited  cove 
and  when 

nd  prosper- 
in  of  which 
I  with  very 
the  "  Pro- 
ni nation  as 

PAS. 

with  another 
iperity  of  the 
apart  for  the 
s  taken  into 
in  existence 
e  pupils  have 
tendance  for 
if  whom  are 
;  positions  in 
onerous  and 
luse  of  great 
take  the  fol- 

he  Wesleyan 
jvs.  P.  Prest- 

the  parents 
ition.  About 
attentive  de- 
i  in  the  pro- 
institution  as 
id  not  merely 

former  gen- 
raphy,  Latin, 

n  and  after- 


EDUCATION. 


369 


noon  several  pieces,  original  and  selected,  were  reelted  with  good 
effect,  ,u  accordance  with  the  subjoined  programme  :  - 

*' '  FORENOON.  —  ORIGINAL   PIKCK8. 

Sc iate?"  ^^'^'''"  ''  "^"^  "^  *''  ^-^^^"^^^  ^^^'•^^'    %  David  H. 
ersl"^^'  ^'"''''''  ''  '•"  ^"^•^'^"^  ^«"^^-'    %  James  C.  Rog- 

wlitt  ^'f ^^"f/^„«^«'=^«'i)     %  John  H.  LeMessurier,  Richard 
White   Ldward  G.  Hunter,  and  Thomas  N.  Gaden. 

Examples  of  Illustrious  Men.'    By  Stephen  R.  March. 

mrd    ri 'f  ^p'i^''"'"''-^  ^^'^«''"  '^-  Bi'kett,  Jonathan  Shep- 
pard,  Thomas  P.  Pme,  and  Edwin  B.  Woods 

"' Rich  and  Poor.'    By  Miss  Jessie  S.  Winter 
" '  What  are  We  ?  '    By  Miss  Mary  E.  Woods. 

"'AFTKRNOON.  — ORIGINAL   PIECES. 

•"Thoughts  on  Leaving  School.'    By  Thomas  C.  Duder 

" '  f^^^T'^':^.  '^""^'  '^-  ""^'^y^  P"P'^  Teacher. 
A  i^rench  Dialogue.'  (Selected.)     Bv  Stonhon   P     TU.    i, 

^  John  H.  Stuart,  and  HuH.  J.  Forneanx  ' 

"'Nltart'C'r"'^"'""    ''^«-f-"yM.  Smith. 

Alice  MM  ™'  '°"""  ""»*  ^-P'-'--'    By  Mi.    , 

;; ;  f  "•■A^Battlefield..'    By  Mis.  Maria  S.  Peaoh. 

Moral  Superior  to  Pliysical  Triumpir   w, A  Vai,  di,-.  orv  Ad 
dresses;     By  Miss  Hannah  L.  Bemister  ^^ 

"  •  We  are  glad  to  state  that  it  is  the  intenUun  of  the  dire<.tor. 
o.  the  academy  to  ,„sti.ute,  with  the  commeneement  of  Z,Z'f 
aoadenue  term,  an  English  or  elementary  departmenr  tlbe  e  o^' 
d>.«e,,  m  the  lower  room  of  the  building 'by  a  eorpet  t  tet  " 
and  to  be  under  the  control  and  super,,io„\f  the'pr  ipa  M .' 
Ke.d;  the  fees,  to  be  u.ade  much  lower  than  those  o  the  a^^' 
Jcmtc  branches,  will  place  withinthe  reac^h  of  ail  cW  of  We 
%a„s  the  means  of  obtaining  for  their  children  a  so  nd  thoro!  h" 

^:::t:s^  --'  '^^'  -"  ^  -'-■-  '^^  -»-■"' 

-Government  votes   annuaily 


viie  sum   of  £750  stei-lin 


O' 


or 


870         NEWFOUNDLAND   AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


about  $3462,  for  training  'Pupil  Teachers,' — each  receiving 
£25  sterling,  or  about  $115.  Several  have  been  trained  in 
the  Wesleyan  Academy,  and  have  gone  forth  to  their  respective 
spheres  of  labor.  Five  were  present  at  the  examination,  one  of 
whom  has  since  taken  charge  of  a  school  in  the  vicinity  of  Car- 
bonear.  What  influence  these  trained  teachers  will  yet  wield  in 
the  moral  and  intellectual  training  of  our  youth,  time  only  can 
develop  !  The  annual  government  grant  for  the  encouragement 
of  education  in  this  colony  is  about  $62,885, — one  seventh  of 
the  revenue  in  ordinary  years.  —  and  it  may  not  be  uninteresting 
to  your  readers  to  know  that  provision  is  made  for  the  support  of 
four  academies  in  this  place ;  two  grammar  schools  or  academies  in 
Harbor  Grace  and  Carbonear;  twenty-seven  commercial  schools 
in  the  pnincipal  outports,  and  two  hundred  and  thirty  board  or 
elementary  schools  ;  beside  an  annual  appropriation  of  $306f-  for 
schools  under  the  control  and  direction  of  the  Roman  Catholic 
Bishops,  $2808  to  the  Church  School  Society,  and  $1404  to  the 
Wesleyan  School  Society,  for  their  schools.  In  the  town  of  Car- 
bonear, the  Wesleyan  portion  of  the  population,  not  having  confi- 
dence in  the  principal  of  the  Government  Grammar  School,  or 
satisfied  with  its  working,  have  sustained,  at  their  own  expense,  an 
academy,  second  to  none  out  of  St.  Johns,  under  the  careful  su- 
perintendence of  a  gentleman  from  your  province.  Our  govern- 
ment officials,  the  speaker  of  the  House  of  Assembly,  and  ablest 
men  within  it,  our  leading  barristers  (and  we  hope  to  say  yet 
our  judges  and  magistrates),  are  natives  of  this  land. 

Veritas. 
♦'  St.  Johns,  Newfoundland,  June  22, 1864."  » 

1  Provincial  Wesleyaa,  July  10,  1864. 


.Ml^tt 


"^^^ 


it'h  receivins 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

CHURCHES. 

QUR   churches  were  plain  wooden  buildings,  and 

bors  th!   wLl      P    ^  ^"  ™""y  "f  'he  out-har- 

Ia.ee  •  Id  t  ^K         ^     ""  '""'g''«g«f<'ns  would   be 

Methodist  el  urch  '       faveT  T     7'^  ''"^"'''"'  "'« 
a,.c   K  ,  ^^®  mentioned  the  Episconalf- 

hem  an'd'the  wT  ""  '"''''  ^™'-*''-  •^*"       * 

slaTd      t        1    ;  '^'"'  '"   ""y  »"*-''«^l'»  in  the 
sland      Several  of  our  churches  were  without  stoves 
so  that  ,n  very  severe  weather  we  would  be  oblild  To 
have  a  very  short  service,  or  disoen^e  w,,!, 
altogether  dispense  with  our  service 

hev  arrr.  '  ""'  '^^'^  '^  "''"  '"  "^  0-.'Poi"ted   f 

hand    Lt    I      "  T'"'""^'  '■'  '^  "<~y,  on  the  one 

and,  that  the  preacher  should  read  much,  pray  much 

the  Bible  to  h,s  hearers,  that  they  mav  at  the  «»„,. 

(371) 


372 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


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time  rightly  influence  their  judgment,  duly  affect  their 
hearts,  and  lead  them  to  Christ.  On  the  other  hand, 
those  who  lear  should  remember  that  it  is  the  word 
of  God  ;  and,  while  iheir  ideas  may  be  expanded 
by  the  erudition  of  the  ;  peuker,  or  they  may  be  charmed 
by  his  eloquence,  let  them  never  forget  that  for  t.iei  • 
reception  or  rejection  of  the  solenni  verities  of  the  gos- 
pel, they  must  give  an  account  at  that  "  day  in  which 
he  will  judge  the  world  in  righteousness." 

One  of  our  m.ore  intelligent  Newfoundland  friends 
would  often,  when  going  to  the  huuso  of  God  on  the 
Sabbath  day,  quote  with  much  accuracy  and  earnest- 
ness, the  following  veiy  apposite  lines  from  the  poet 
Cowper :  — 

"  The  pulpit,  therefore  (and  I  name  it  filled 
With  solemn  awe,  that  bids  me  well  beware 
With  whafintent  I  touch  that  holy  thing),  — 
The  pulpit  (when  the  satirist  has  at  last, 
Strutting  and  vaporing  in  an  empty  school, 
Spent  all  his  force,  and  made  no  proselyte), — 
I  say  the  puljiit  (in  the  sober  use 
Of  its  legitirjjstr,  peculiar  powers). 
Must  stand  acknowledged,  while  the  world  shall  stand, 
The  mo&r  }mpor?i»nt  and  effectual  guard, 
Support,  and  ornament  of  virtue's  cause. 
There  stands  the  messenger  of  truth  :  there  stands 
The  legate  of  the  skies  !  —  his  theme  divine. 
His  office  sacred,  his  credentials  clear  ; 
By  liim  the  violated  law  speaks  out 
Its  thunders  ;  and  by  him,  in  strains  as  sweet 
As  angels  use,  the  gospel  whispers  peace." 

The  Newfoundlanders  were  generally  a  church-going 
people,  so  that  in  the  different  stations  occupied  by  our 
missionaries  you  would  rarely  find  a  person  absent 
from  church  on  Sabbath,  unless  he  were  unwell.  It 
used  to  be  a  matter  of  regret  that  some  people  outside 
the  church  would  occasionally,  on  Sabbath  morning, 


IIES. 

affect  their 
other  hand, 
is  the  word 
e  expanded 
be  charj'ied 
lat  for  their 

of  the  go8- 
ly  in  which 

and  friends 
God  on  the 
nd  earnest- 
m  the  poet 


SINGIXO. 


873 


1  stand, 


nda 


lurch-going 
pied  by  our 
rson  absent 
unwell.  It 
)ple  outside 
b  morning, 


discuss  the  affairs  of  the  fishery;  but  when  they  en- 
^erecl  the  church,  they  were  always  orderly  '  well- 
oehayed.    Tliey  Io^  .^d  their  ministers  and  tlu  >  n  j 

w.th  gladness  the  ord  o(  '^fe  from  their  lips.  They 
at  all  times  heard  with  attcntici,  and  althoug,  as  a 
genera  thing,  they  had  not  learning  so  as  to  examine 
the  B.ble  for  thomselyes,  yet  they  had  good  memories,, 
andwere  not  forgetful  hearers,  but  carefully  treasured 
up  m  their  minds  the  truths  they  heara  from  the 
pulpit. 

SINGING 

Has  formerl  nn  important  part  of  divine  ip  from 

time  immenionuj,  aud,  wheneyer  practicab      that  sincr. 
ing  has   been  accompanied  with  musical  i.strumentl 
J  lit  in  old  time  music  was  all  melody,  and  it  is  said 
aarmony  has  i    ^  yet  been  known  in  the  world  three 
hundred  years.      .  he  writer  has  in  his  possession  an 
English  Bible  in  black  letter,  p.  lished  in  ir.25,  with 
which  IS  coimected  the  Book  of  Common  Pra>   i    and  a 
number  of  examples  of  church-music  as  used  in  those 
times.     Among  those  examples  is  the  song  of   "  The 
Ihree    Children,"     '^  The   Song   of  Zacharias,"   the 
Creed  of  Athanasius,  the  Lord's  Prayer,  and  several 
other  pieces  set  to  music  ;  and  the  music  also  is  arranged 
for  several  of  the  psalms.     This  music  is  all  one  part*!  it 
1.  only  melody.     There  is  no  ma.^.  for    lie  time  or  the 
mood  ;  there  are  no  bars,  the  C  cleft  .nly  is  used,  and 
the  notes  are  all  square. 

^  A  very  excellent  paper,  entitled  "  Thoughts  on  Mu- 
sic, was  publi  'led  by  Mr.  Wesley  in  the  "  Arminian 
Magazine  for  1781,  froir  which  we  beg  to  note  the 
toilowing  extracts  :  — 

.hLT'V^^  the  ancient  Greek  musicians  in  particular  were    * 
aoie  to  excite  wiiaiuver  passions  they  pleased;  to  inspire  love  or 
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Sciences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


874 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


i 


■i 


ii 


hp.te,  joy  or  sorow,  hope  or  fear,  courage,  fury,  or  despair ;  yea,  to 
raise  tliese  one  after  another,  and  to  vary  the  passion  just  according 
to  the  variation  of  the  music.  Nay,  we  read  of  an  instance,  even  in 
modern  history,  of  the  power  of  music  not  inferior  to  this.  A 
musician  being  brought  to  the  king  of  Denmark,  and  asked  wheth- 
er he  could  excite  any  passion,  answered  in  the  affirmative,  and 
was  commanded  to  make  the  trial  on  the  king  himself  Presently 
the  monarch  was  all  in  tears;  and,  upon  the  musician's  changing 
his  mood,  he  was  quickly  roused  into  such  fury,  that,  snatching  a 
aword  from  one  of  his  assistants'  hands,  he  immediately  killed  him, 
and  would  have  killed  all  in  the  room,  had  he  not  been  forcibly 
withheld.  But  why  is  it  that  modern  music  in  general  has  no 
such  effect  upon  the  hearers  ?  The  grand  reason  seems  co  be  no 
other  than  this :  the  whole  nature  and  design  of  music  is  altered. 
The  ancient  composers  studied  melody  alone,  —  the  due  arrange- 
ment of  single  notes,  —  and  it  was  by  melody  alone  that  they 
wrought  such  wonderful  effects.  In  this  respect  laodern  n^  asic 
has  no  connection  with  common  sense,  any  more  than  with  ;,he 
passions.  In  another  it  is  glaringly,  undeniably  contrary  to  rcm- 
mon  sense;  namely,  in  allowing,  yea,  appointing  different  >../rd3 
to  be  sung  by  different  persons  at  the  same  time  !  What  can  be 
more  shocking  to  a  man  of  understanding  than  this?  Pray 
which  of  those  sentences  am  I  to  attend  to  ?  I  can  attend  to 
only  one  sentence  at  once ;  and  I  hear  three  or  four  at  one  and 
the  same  instant !  And,  to  complete  the  matter,  this  astonishing 
jargon  has  found  a  place  even  in  the  worship  of  God !  It  runs 
through  (O  pity !  O  shame !)  the  greatest  part  of  our  church 
music !  It  is  found  even  in  the  finest  of  our  anthems,  and  in  the 
most  solemn  parts  of  our  public  worship !  Let  any  impartial,  any 
unprejudiced  person  say  whether  there  can  be  a  more  direct  mock- 
ery of  Qod." 

John  Wesley  had  a  fine  musical  ear,  as  well  as  a 
truly  devotional  heart;  and  he  used  his  utmost 
efforts  to  make  the  church,  over  which  in  the  order 
of  Divine  Providence  he  was  called  to  preside,  a  mu- 
sical as  well  as  a  devotional  people.  As  early  as  the 
year  1742,  which  was  two  years  before  the  forming  of 
the  nrst  conference,  ne  issued  a  collection  of  tunes  as 


SINGING. 


375 


Sling  at  the  foundry.  He  enjoined  his  preachers  to 
learn  the  science  of  music,  and  to  preach  frequently  on 
sniging ;  not  to  suffer  the  people  to  sing  too  slow,  and 
let  the  women  sing  their  parts  alone  ;  lei  no  man  sing 
with  them,  unless  he  understands  the  notes  and  singt 
the  bass.  Again  he  says,  "  Exhort  every  one  to  sing  ; 
and  in  every  large  society  let  them  learn  to  sing.  Rec- 
ommend our  tune-book  everywhere." 

The  Methodists  soon  became,  as  might  be  expected, 
a  musical  people ;  and  their  hymns  and  music  or  sing- 
ing took  a  high  stand,  and  was  heard  with  emotion  all 
over  the  united  kingdom.  Handel  found  in  the  Meth- 
dist  hymns  a  poetry  worthy  of  his  own  grand  genius, 
and  he  set  to  music  those  hymns  beginning,  "  Sinners, 
obey  the  gospel  word  ;  »  "  O  Love  Divine,  how  sweet 
thou  art ;  "  and  "  Rejoice  !  the  Lord  is  King."  i 

The  Wesleyan  singing  was  a  source  of  great  power 
to  our  societies  in  those  early  times,  Mr.  Wesley,  as 
he  tra-elled  in  Ireland,  heard  his  own  hymns  or  tunes 
sung  or  whistled  by  Catholic  children  ;  and  hundreds 
of  people,  who  cared  nothing  about  preaching,  were 
charmed  to  Methodist  assemblies  by  the  music. 

In  the  autobiography  of  Duncan  Wright,  a  sergeant 
m  the  tenth  regiment  of  foot,  as  pubhshed  in  the  "  Ar- 
minian  Magazine  "  for  1785,  we  have  an  amusing  in- 
stance of  the  effect  of  old  Methodist  music  upon  the 
Irish  mind.  In  the  county  of  Wexford  the  society 
was  much  annoyed  by  popish  mobs,  and  had  to  hold 
their  meetings  in  a  barn  with  closed  doors.  Tlie  mob 
wished  to  know  what  was  done  at  the  private  meetings 
of  the  Methodists.  To  accompUsh  this  thev  put  one 
of  their  party  into  a  sack  and  laid  him  quietly  behind 
the  door,  with  instructions  to  come  out  of  the  sack  at 

i  Stevens'  History  of  Methodism,  vol.  ii.  p.  503. 


876 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


it  <i      i 


the  proper  time,  and  open  the  door  to  his  companions. 
The  society  came  as  usnal,  fastened  the  door,  and  took 
no  notice  of  the  sack.  Tlie  singing  commenced,  and 
honest  Pat  was  so  charmed  with  the  nmsic  that  he 
thouo-ht  he  would  hear  it  out  before  he  disturbed  the 
meeting.  The  singing  being  so  good,  he  thought  he 
would  hear  how  they  prayed.  The  mob  outside  began 
to  shout  to  their  friend  to  open  the  door  and  let  them 
in ;  but  poor  Pat  could  not  get  out  of  the  sack,  and 
lay  bawling  for  some  one  to  help  him  out.  He  roared 
lustily  until  the  people  thought  Old  Nick  himself  was  in 
the  sack.  At  length,  one  had  courage  to  go  and  open 
the  sack,  when,  lo !  a  man  was  seen  there  who  had 
come  to  annoy  them,  but  now  he  was  a  weeping  pen- 
itent. He  confessed  the  whole  matter,  and  began  to 
cry  to  God  for  pardon. 

Duncan  Wright,  the  narrator  of  this  anecdote,  after- 
ward became  a  travelling  preacher,  and  was  very 
useful  both  in  Ireland  and  Scotland. 

The  first  missionaries  to  Newfoundland  were  all 
good  singers,  and  they  introduced  the  same  tunes  and 
the  same  style  of  singing  those  tunes  as  was  practised 
by  our  venerable  founder  and  the  first  Methodist  preach- 
ers in  England  ;  hence  our  people  instinctively  acquired 
a  lof  e  for  old  Methodist  music,  and  the  missionaries, 
while  they  spread  the  sublime  poetry  with  which  the 
Wesleyan  body  is  so  amply  supplied,  broadcast  over 
the  land,  also  taught  the  people  everywhere  to 
sing  those  hymns  in  the  soul-stirring  strains  of  Handel, 
Haydn,  Leach,  Arnold,  Rippon,  Walke.  and  other 
musical  composers  of  the  same  class;  anr  so  thor- 
oughly was  this  done  that  our  people  could  sing  all 
our  hymns  ;  and  when  the  hymn  was  announced,  no 
matter  what  was  the  metre,  without  any    unnatural 


SINGING. 


877 


veeping  pen- 


gesture  on  the  par*^^  of  the  precentor,  calHng  up  people 
from  different  part£>  of  ihe  church,  or  even  sounding 
the  key-note,  a  tune  was  at  once  struck  in  every  way 
suitable  both  in  style  and  accent. 

In  some  places,  as  St.  Johns,  Carbonear,  and  Brigus, 
the  singing  was  most  superior  and  highly  scientific  ; 
which  for  correctness  of  time,  propriety  of  accent,  and 
mellifluence  of  sound,  could  not  be  exceeded.  Beside 
the  singing  was  everywhere  congregational,  every  one 
thought  it  his  duty  and  privilege  to  join  publicly  in 
singing  the  praises  of  God.  With  all  this,  there  were 
none  of  those  nocturnal  meetings  called  "  singing 
schools ; "  nor  was  any  one  employed  in  the  capacity 
of  a  "  singing-master,"  —  many  of  whom  care  very 
little  about  what  kind  of  singing  there  is  in  the 
church,  and  who  never  use  our  music-books,  or  habit- 
uate our  youth  to  the  use  of  the  Methodist  Hymn 
Book.  There  were  generally  a  few  persons  m  each 
place  who  knew  the  notes,  and  these  taught  the  rest, 
who  learned  to  sing  by  ear.  Our  own  hymns  were 
always  used  at  practice  meetings,  «!0  that  in  learning  a 
tune,  they  also  learned  a  hymn  ;  hence,  when  the  hymn 
was  named  from  the  pulpit,  at  the  class-meeting  or 
prayer-meeting,  a  tune  was  ready,  in  which  all  could 
and  generally  did  unite.  At  those  times  we  had  no 
organ  in  any  church  on  the  island  ;  and  the  melodeon, 
that  fine  imitator  of  the  organ,  had  not  been  invented. 
Our  church  instruments  were  the  violin  and  a  bass- 
viol.  In  some  places  we  had  two  violins  and  a  bass- 
viol,  and  occasionally  a  flute  would  accompany  these 
instruments. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  in  these  lower  provinces, 
where  singing-masters  abound,  and  every  village  has 
its   singing-school,  our  ministers  can  seldom  give  out 
32  ♦ 


378         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 

any  hymn  except  long,  common,  short  metre,  or  six 
lines  eights,  witliout  being  told,  "  Sir,  we  cannot  sing 
that  hymn  :  we  have  no  tune  for  it ; "  and  an  organist 
will  sometimes  send  a  message  to  the  pulpit,  requesting 
the  preachc-  to  give  out  some  other  hymn  than  the 
one  he  had  selected  in  his  study,  it  might  have  been  on 
his   knees,  "because  we   have  got   no   tune  for   it." 
Thus  many,  very  many  of  our  best  hymns  are  never 
sung  by  us ;  and  our  people  lose  the  benefit  which  our 
forefathers  enjoyed  as  they  mentally  luxuriated  in  their 
heavenly   strains,  which   they  sang   to   those   Christ- 
honoring  and  soul-comforting  verses.     It  is  a  disgrace 
to  us  that  we  as  Wesleyans  cannot  sing  every  hymn 
i .  the  Wesleyan  hymn-book. 

SABBATH  SCHOOLS. 

The  minutes  of  the  Newfoundland  Sabbath  schools 
for   1825,   reported   1200  children,  and  a  number  of 
adults,  who  were  receiving  instruction  in  tliese  institu- 
tions.    In  these  schools,   many  children   obtained  all 
the  learning   they  ever  had,   and  had  there  learned 
to  read  and  to  a  considerable  extent  understand  the 
Scriptures  of  truth.     In  Bonavista,  five  boys  and  three 
girls  learned,  and  repeated  before  the  congregation  with 
great  accuracy,  the  whole  of  our  Lord's  sermon  on  the 
Mount ;  and  fifteen  of  the  children  had   become   the 
subjects  of  converting  grace,  and  regularly  met  in  class. 
Our  Sabbath  schools  in  Newfoundland,  as  well  as  in 
most  of  our  country  circuits  in  these  provinces,  were 
discontinued  during  the  winter  season,  because  of  the 
severity  of  the  weather ;  but,  during  the  summer  sea- 
son, they  were  well  attended,  and  orderly. 

In  the  year  1824,  Newfoundland  received   its  first 
importation    of  Conference  Catechisms.     The   whole 


\ 


SABDATH    SCHOOLS.  3J9 

series   of  these   invaluable   compilations   nf  <    -  . 

was  o„e  "r  ™2r;t::::i  -•'-  "- 

Scripture   doeti^a      Zj'!  1°  J^f "»  »" 

young  children,    the  second   7 '    .  f .  °''  "''""^ 

able  to  read  the  Bible      In  thlT  T  "''"   "■'-'™ 

"marlp   -.f   .1.     ^       .  "'^^'  considerab  e  use  is 

lanJ       tull'ft"'"""    "'   "'«    Church    of    E„l 
iand,  _  that  of  the  assembly  of  Westmm;..      j-     ^ 

was  entitled   "  A  Pafo  i.-       ^   ,  "^^^^  ^®"er 

itiuea,     A  Catechism  of  the  Evidences  of  Ch^;. 
tianity,  and  the  Truth  of  the  Holy  Scrip  "e   ''     Th 

meets  in  a  masterlv  mnr,„      .u     ^'^^''^^^  religion,  and 
rU.  r.f    n         ,      y  '"^"^^^  the  arguments  which  infi 
dels  of  all  grades  have  brought  agdnst  the  Bibll      Th; 
senes  was  submitted  to  the  careful   ..7  . 

committee  of  ih.  r.     f  examination  of  a 

by  tTa  bodv  'Tt"''""'  'PP^^^^^  ^"^  ^-"-tioned 
^7  that  body  and  hence  designated  the  Weslevan 
Catechisms.     Thp«?P  Pof^^i  •         i  ,  esieyan 

thus  have  been  saved  from  the  withering  blasts  of 


880         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

heterodoxy,  or   the   soul-deceiving   fallacies  of  covert 

or  open  infidelity.  ,      ,    .    xt      /•      ;i 

The  children  in  our  Sabbath  schools  in  Newfound- 
land have  these  Catechisms  ;  large  portions  of  which 
have  been  committed  to  memory,  and  the  children 
there  are  not  behind  the  children  in  our,  Sabbath 
schools  elsewhere  in  their  knowledge  o^  the  Bible  his- 
tory,  of  evangelical  doctrine,  and  the  arguments  tor 
the  truth  of  revealed  religion. 

Prayer-meetings  were  well  attended,  and  were  often 
very  lively.     In  1823,  in  Grand  Bank  we  had  several 
interesting  young  men,  who,  when  they  had  to  cruise 
for  fish,  as  they  sometimes  did  to  the  distance  of  sixty 
or  seventy  leagues,  were  accustomed  so  to  arrange  their 
matters  as  to  meet  together  on  Sabbath  days  in  harbors, 
where  there  were  no  places  of  worship,  and  hold  prayer- 
meetings   ashore,  read  the   Scriptures,  and   (hstnbute 
tracts,  to  the  great  delight  of  the  people  of  those  destitute 
places      Thus  our  fishermen  themselves  became  mis- 
sionaries, and  were  instrumental  of  doing  much  good. 

The  relicrious  state  of  our  societies  was  satisfactory 
and  encouraging.     Revivals  had  taken  place  in  several 
circuits;    our    prayer-meetings,    class-meetings,    love- 
feasts,  and  sacraments  were  times  of  -  refreshing  from 
the  presence  of  the  Lord."     The  brethren  often   had 
wearisome  journeys  by  land,  and  dangerous  voyages  by 
sea  •  but  they  found  comfort  and  pleasure  in  their  work, 
in  that  they  saw  and  felt  that  the  soil  they  were  endeay- 
oring  to  cultivate  would  in  time  yield  abundant  frmt, 
and  that  their  labor  was  not  in  vain  m  the  Lord. 

Newfoundland,  while  it  had  its  toils,  and  its  disadvan- 
tages, also  had  its  advantages  and  its  pleasures.  Many 
of  our  wealthy  planters,  and  a  good  sprinkling  of  our 
princely  merchants,  had  become  favorable  to  .viethod- 


aiES. 

3s  of  covert 

I  Newfound- 
ns  of  which 
the  children 
dxiv.  Sabbath 
le  Bible  his- 
guments  for 

id  were  often 
e  had  several 
had  to  cruise 
ance  of  sixty- 
arrange  their 
lys  in  harbors, 
I  hold  prayer- 
ind  distribute 
those  destitute 
became  mis- 
much  good. 
as  satisfactory- 
lace  in  several 
eetings,    love- 
efreshing  from 
ren  often   had 
)us  voyages  by 
!  in  their  work, 
f  were  endeav- 
ibundant  fruit, 
;he  Lord. 
nd  its  disadvan- 
lasures.     Many 
rinkling  of  our 
ible  to  Method- 


REVIVALS. 


381 


ism,  and  some  of  them  had  become  members  of  the 
Wesleyan  church ;  the  connection  had  gained  a  large 
influence  in  the  community,  and  was  the  most  nuine*'r- 
ous  Protestant  body  in  the  island.  Methodist  preachers 
were  everywhere  received  with  kindness,  treated  with 
great  respect ;  they  had  a  home  in  every  house,  a  seat 
at  every  table,  and  a  place  in  the  affections  of  every 
heart. 

In  several  of  our  circuits  there  had  been  revivals  of 
religion    particularly   at    St.    Johns,    Harbor    Grace, 
Island  Cove,  and  Bonavista.     The  English  "  Wesleyan 
Magazine  "  for  1827,  in  its  obituary  department,  records 
the  death  of  three  persons  in  one  place,  who  went 
triumphantly  "home  to  God,"  within  a  few  weeks  of 
each  other.     In  English  Harbor,  in  the  Trinity  Cir- 
cuit, was  a  family  of  the  name  of  Ivamy,  nearly  all 
the  adult  members  of  which,  were  the  subjects  of  con- 
/erting  grace.     In  the  year  1826,  three  members  of 
this   interesting  family   were   called   away   by  death. 
They   were   all  young  persons.      Ann  Burns,  whose 
maiden  name  was  Ivamy,  was  brought  to  God  under 
the  ministry  of  Mr.  Ellis,  in  1817,  and  for  ten  yc-^^-s 
lived  in  the  enjoyment  of  the  favor  of  God,  and  when 
dying   said   to   her   weeping   friends,    "  I  feel   a  solid 
peace;"  "I  feel  peace  with  God,  through  our  Lord 
Jesus   Christ."   She   died    Feb.    23,    1826,    aged   27 
years. 

Martin  Ivamy,  aged  21  y^ars.  He  was  brought  to 
God  also  under  the  preaching  of  Mr.  Ellis.  When  on 
his  death-bed,  he  said  to  his  mother,  "  My  pain  is 
severe,  but  I  shall  soon  be  where  there  is  no  more  sick- 
ness or  pain;  where  tears  are  wiped  from  all  faces." 
To  his  class-leader  he  said,  "In  my  fishing-boat  I 
have  many  times  sung  those  words : 


■%t 


■jil 

a  ' 


l„ 

:    1 

! 

^■^ 

r 

■\' 

882         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 

"  '  Tlicy  sin^r  the  Lninh  in  hymns  nhovo, 
And  wo  in  hymns  below.' 

**  Now  I  am  goin^  to  join  tlio  heavenly  clioir,  to  sing 
the  song  of  Moses  and  the  Uiinb  forever.  Oh,  tlie  good- 
ness of  God  I  His  works  pruiso  him,  and  his  saints 
bless  him."  Thus  he  continued  until  his  happy  sj)irit 
took  its  flight  to  the  land  of  rest. 

George  Ivamy,  aged  22  years.  He  also  was  brought 
to  God  under  the  ministry  of  Mr.  Ellis.  He  was  an 
exemplary  young  man  through  his  whole  Christian 
course,  and  his  last  affliction,  which  was  consumption, 
and  very  protracted,  he  bore  with  true  Christian  forti- 
tude. He  had  a  good  voice,  which  he  employed  in 
singing  the  praises  of  God.  Once,  afler  a  severe 
paroxysm  of  suffering,  and  feeling  a  little  recovered,  he 
broke  forth  singing :  — 

"  Be  it  weariness  and  pain 

To  slothful  flesh  nnd  blood  ; 
Yet  wo  will  tho  cross  sustain 
And  bless  tho  welcome  loud." 

To  his  mother  he  said,  *'  Oh,  my  dear  mother,  rejoice 
on  my  account.  Death  is  gain  to  me.  I  am  going 
to  Jesus,  and  you  will  soon  follow."  He  died  in  per- 
fect peace. 

In  1830  our  membership  in  Newfoundland  was 
1,287  ;  the  missionary  membership  through  the  world 
was  41,186 ;  the  number  of  our  missionaries,  189,  and 
our  missionary  income,  .£51,299  18«.  3d 

Our  stations  were  as  follows :  — 

St.  John  —  John  Haigh. 
Hakbok  Grace  —  John  Pickavant. 
Carronear  —  Richard  Knight. 
Blackhead  —  John  Boyd. 
Western  Bay —  Adam  Nightingale. 


ARIES. 

clioir,  to  sing 
31i,  tlio  good- 
und  his  suinta 
8  lmi)py  spirit 

)  was  brouglit 

He  was  an 

ole   Christian 

consumption, 

hristian  f'orti- 

einph)yed  in 

^er   a   severe 

recovered,  he 


lother,  rejoice 

I  am  going 

e  died  in  per- 

undland  was 
igh  the  world 
ries,  189,  and 


STATIONS. 


88d 


Isi-ANr)  CovK  AM,  PKRLrcAx-John  Smithioi. 
Pour  DK  (iitA VK  —  William  Kllia. 
BuKum  —  (Jeorge  Kllid^o. 
TiiiNiiY  Hay  — John  TomklnB, 
BoNAviHTA  AND  Catalina  -  William  Wilson. 
GitAN,.  Uank  ANi.  Fou,  UNK  HAV-Uichard  Shepherd. 
Hants  IIaiiiu.u— William  Fanlkner. 
William  Kaulknor  was  admitted  on  trial  in   IS'^O 
and  c^„.e  to  St.  Johns.      He  labored  with  acceptance 
m- different  circuits  for  twenty  years,  when  he  left  the 
island,   and    returned    to    his   native   land.      In    the 
minutes  of  18G3,  his  name  stands  for  ''  Ashton-under- 
Lyno"  Circuit,  in  the  Manchester  and  Bolton  District. 
At  this  time  several  parts  of  iVewfoundland  suffered 
severely  from  the  failure  of  the  fishery.      Island  Cove, 
Old  I  erhcan,   and   Bonavista  all   suffered   from   this 
cause.      In   the   last-named   place   the   catch    of   fish 
durmg   the  summer  was  estimated  at  not  more  than 
lialf   sufficient   to   pay  the   expense   of  the    voyacre  • 
therefore,  as  the  fall  came  on,  poverty  was  felt  in  ahnost 
every  flmuly,  and  a  deep  gloon  sat  upon  every  counte- 
nance     In  a  population  of  two  thousand,  it  was  ascer- 
tained that  there  were  eight  hundred  and  eighty-seven 
individuals,  who  had  no  means  of  subsistence  whatever 
except  the  potatoes  produced  in  their  own  gardens,  and 
these  It  was  evident  would  fail  before  the  next  spring 
Application  was  therefore  made  to  his  excellency  Sir 
Thomas  Cochran,  the   governor,  who   promptly  sent 
seven   hundred   and   fifty  barrels  of  potatoes  for  the 
relief  of  the  suffering  poor.      These  potatoes,  with  a 
number  of  seals  that  were  taken  during  the  winter  and 
spring,  saved  many  from  starvation. 

In  the  midst  of  this  poverty,  a  fearful  epidemic 
broke  out  in  Bonavista  and  Bird  Island  Cove.  It  was 
the  ulcerated  sore   throat,    Cynanche  maligna,  which 


! 


** 

•  '', 

f 

[.^■1 

4'" 

^Hi 

T',A 

^  '■'•  ■  im 

l| 

y 

HI 

884         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSTONARIES. 

seems  to  have  been  identical  with  what  is  now  known 
as  Di}>htheria.  Many  fell  victims  to  this  dire  disease. 
The  journal  of  the  writer  supplic§  the  following 
particulars  in  reference  to  the  family  of  Mr.  George 
Crew,  one  of  our  leaders  in  Bird  Island  Cove,  who 
lost  three  members  of  his  family  by  this  disease  in 
twenty-one  days  :  — 

•'July  8,  1830.  This  afternoon  I  interred  two  children;  both 
died  on  the  same  day  of  the  prevailing  epidemic,  one  little  boy, 
four  years  of  age,  was  the  sou  of  Mr.  George  Crew,  one  of  our 
leaders. 

"July  17.  Saturday,  Mary  Minty,  a  married  claughtor  of 
brother  Crew,  was  taken  alarmingly  ill  with  sore  throat. 

♦'July  19.  Susannah,  a  girl  of  twelve  years  of  age,  second 
daughter  of  brother  Crew,  was  taken  with  the  same  complaint. 

"  July  24.  Saturday,  Joseph,  a  son  of  the  same  person ;  a  young 
man,  18  years  of  age,  was  seized  with  the  sore  throat. 

"July  27.    The  girl  Susannah  died  on  Sabbath  morning,  and 
was  interred  to-<lay.     On  entering  the  room,  what  a  sight !     The 
coffin  containing  the  corpse  of  Susannah  lay  on  the  table,  near 
which  was  her  sister  Mary  Minty,  struggling  in  the  agonies  of 
death,  and  in  the  interim  of  her  pain,  shouting  '  Glory  to  God.'  In 
another  part  of  the  room,  sat  Joseph,  suffering  severely,  and 
apprehending  the  fatal  result  of  his  disease;  in   an   adjoining 
apartment,  was  the  poor  mother,  —  whose  feelings  can  much  better 
be  conceived  than  described,  —  bewailing  the  loss  of  two  of  her 
children,  and  expecting  every  moment  to  see  a  third  expire,  while 
a  fourth  was  in  a  very  dangerous  and  critical  state.    But  in  the 
midst  of  this  scene  of  suffering,  stood  the  father,  who  seems  to  have 
been  endowed  with  a  more  than  ordinary  supply  of  grace,  —  giving 
up  one  child   afler  another  with  a  father's  feeUng,  but  with  a 
Christian's  fortitude.   Now  turning  to  his  dying  daughter,  he  would 
exhort  her  to  exercise  strong  faith  in  the  Redeemer's  blood,  and 
take  courage,  inasmuch  as  a  few  more  groans,  a  few  more  strug- 
gles, would  terminate  all  her  sufferings,  when  her  happy  spirit 
would  wing  its  way  to  worlds  on  high,  where  suffering  is  never 
known.     Then  he  would  speak  to  his  son,  and  exhort  and  entreat 
him  to  seek  for  a  clear  sense  of  pardoning  mercy,,  that  he  also 
might  be   prepared  for  the  awful  change.     Ailer  the  funeral. 


\RIE8. 

3  now  known 
3  dire  disease. 
:he  following 
Mr.  George 
d  Cove,  who 
lis  disease  in 

I  chlUlren ;  both 
c,  one  little  boy, 
rew,  one  of  our 

3(1  (laugbter  of 
throat. 

of  age,  second 
no  complaint, 
person;  a  young 
•oat. 

th  morning,  and 
it  a  sight  1  The 
1  the  table,  near 

the  agonies  of 
lory  to  God.'  In 
g  severely,  and 
in  an  adjoining 
1  can  much  better 
jss  of  two  of  her 
ird  expire,  while 
•ite.  But  in  the 
ho  seems  to  have 
f  grace,  —  giving 
sling,  but  with  a 
uighter,  he  would 
imer's  blood,  and 

few  more  strug- 
her  happy  spirit 
uflering  is  never 
ihort  and  entreat 
ircy^  that  he  also 
iler  the  funeral, 


MAMONANT   QUINSY. 


885 


when  returning  home:  •  What  .  house  have  I  to  go  to'-tvo 
cluldren  jn  the  g.-ave  in  so  «hort  a  .spa.-e  of  tin.o.'and  perha^^ 

Uher,  'cannot  you  g.ve  up  your  chil.lren  when  the  Lord  calls 
mulur.'"     '  ""  ''  '"''  '"'"'""•  ''  ^^^•-"-   "«  '-t  to 

To  the  writer,  our  friend  George  Crew  said :  — 

'"The  Lord  gave  mo  my  children,  and  I  ca..  freely  give  them 
up  at  h.s  command;  and  I  do  this,  because  I  believe  they    a v! 

doubt  as  he  died  so  young.  Of  Susannah  I  was  at.xious  to  uet 
«on.etlnng  sat.sfactory,  as  she  was  old  enough  to  undcrsta Lrand 
enjoy  rehg.on.  '  She  told  me,'  said  this  pious  n.an  '  s  u  "  .  not 
a  nud  to  d.e.'  ^  K..,'  .id  she,  « that  Je!us  has  loJed  ^^Idl 
SL.U  soon  be  w,th  h.m  in  heaven.'  ' Mary,' continued  h  ,  'ha! 
long  been  a  professor  of  religion,  and  she  now  testifies  to  ^ 
arouna  i,  .^at  she  .s  personally  interested  in  the  bloo<l  of  Christ : 
that  she  has  no  doubt  of  her  acceptance  with  God,  and  she  wU 
soon  jom  the  blood-washed   throng  in  the  realms  'of  light  an" 

When  we  reached  the  house,  we  found  Mary  still 
ahve,  but  m  fearful  agony ;  the  sloughs  in  her  throat 
were  causing  strangulation.     One  present  said  to  her, 
Mary,  you  sufe  much  in  body,  but  how  is  the  state 
of  your  mind?  '     She  replied,  "I  do    suffer   much; 
but  ble.s  God  I  am  happy ;  death  is  disarmed  of  its 
sting ;  I  feel  I  am  pardoned  ;  I  feel  —  I  feel "  —     Here 
a  fit  of  coughing  came  on  with  such  violence,  that  all 
present  thought  suffocation  would  be  the  immediate  re- 
sult.^   On  recovering  a  little,  she  said,  "  I  feel  Christ  is 
precious,    but   I   cannot   converse;   good-by,    I    shall 
soon  be  m  heaven."     Very  shortly  after  this  conversa- 
tion,  she  expired  in  the  full'        '      


83 


triumph  of  faith 


Ill  i 

I'll 


886         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    U'S   MISSIONARIES. 

For  more  than  a  year,  did  this  fearful  plague, 
"Malignant  Quinsy,"  rage  in  Bonavista  and  Bird 
Island  Covfe.  It  seemed  for  a  time  as  though  it  would 
depopulate  the  place;  its  victims  were  numerous;  it 
seized  persons  of  all  ages,  and  no  constitution  was  proof 
against  its  attacks.  At  length  it  pleased  our  heavenly 
Father  to  stay  his  chastening  hand,  when  the  com- 
plaint entirely  disappeared  from  the  people. 

Bonavista  first  appeared  on  our  minutes  in  1815, 
and  that  excellent  man,  James  Hickson,  was  the 
preacher.  The  only  religious  service  the  people  then 
had,  was  reading  the  church  prayers  on  Sabbath  after- 
noon, by  a  man  who  filled  the  office  of  store-keeper  to 
a  large  mercantile  firm ;  and  who  usually  opened  his 
store  on  the  morning  of  the  sacred  Sabbath.  But  the 
labors  of  Mr.  Hickson  and  his  successors  were  greatly 
owned  of  God  in  the  conversion  of  souls. 

In  Bird  Island  Cove,  at  that  time,  there  was  no  kind 
of  religious  service  whatever,  and  when  it  was  visited 
by  Methodist  preachers,  which  was  the  case  soon  after 
Bonavista  appeared    on  our  station-sheet,  the  people 
treated  the  preachers  with  every  kind  of  contempt  and 
insult.     The  moral  character  of  the  people  was  awful. 
They  were  accustomed  to  boast  that  they  belonged  to 
the  "  established  Church  of  England,"  and  would,  in- 
deed, sometimes  walk  over  to  Bonavista,  to  hear  the 
prayers  read  on  Sabbath  afternoon,  and  return  home 
drunk.    In  Bonavista,  Methodism  had  more  opposition, 
and  this  opposition  offered  for  a  greater  length  of  time, 
than  in  any  other  part  of  Newfoundland.     The  Bird 
Island  Cove  people  therefore,  by  mixing  with  their 
friends  in    Bonavista,  would  generally  get  something 
new  to  increase  their  ire  against  these  new  preachers. 
One  man,  after  his  conversion  to  God,  declared  to  the 


HIES. 

rful  plague, 
;a  and  Bird 
ugh  it  would 
umerous ;  it 
on  was  proof 
our  heavenly 
en  the  com- 

tes  in  1815, 
3on,  was  the 

people  then 
labbath  after- 
ore-keeper  to 
ly  opened  his 
ith.    But  the 

were  greatly 

5  was  no  kind 
it  was  visited 
ase  soon  after 
t,  the  people 
contempt  and 
jth  was  awful. 
y  belonged  to 
nd  would,  in- 
a,,  to  hear  the 
return  home 
ore  opposition, 
ength  of  time, 
d.     The  Bird 
ng  with  their 
get  something 
lew  preachers, 
eclared  to  the 


BIRD    ISLAND   COVE. 


887 


writer,  that  he  had  many  times  reflected  upon  the  gov- 
ernment of  England  for  tol.rating  such  men  as  Meth- 
odist preacliers,  and  for  not  allowing  any  one  who  chose 
to  shoot  them  ;  and,  he  added,  "  I  would  have  shot  them 
Jt  1  had  dared,  and  have  thought  in  so  doing  I  should 
have  rendered  service  to  the  church  and  to  the  state." 

B.rd  Island  Cove  was  for  a  long  time  a  barren  soil ; 
so  that  m  eight  years  we  had  only  five  members  in  so- 
ciety.    But  in  the  year  1824,  God  poured  out  his  Spirit 
upon  the  people,  and  our  society  was  increased  to  fifty- 
four.     Now  a  considerable  alarm  was  excited  at  the 
spread  of  Methodism,  and  something  must  be  done,  oi 
al   the  wicked  people  would  be  converted  to  God,  for- 
sake the"  religion  of  their  fathers,"  and  become  Meth- 
odists.     The  store-keeper  parson  of  Bona .  .sta  was  now 
dead,  and  he  was  succeeded  by  a  man  who  had  been  a  sea- 
captain  who  was  zealously  opposed  to  Methodist  preach- 
ers     By  his  influence  a  person,  who  could  read  only 
y^i\x  difficulty,  got  an  appointment  to  read  prayers  in 
Bird  Island  Cove,  so  as  to  prevent  the  further  spread 
ot  Methodism  in  that  place.     The  Bird  Island  Cove 
jparson  was  familiarly  known  as  «  Skipper  Joe."     But 
this    effbrt  to   stop  the  revival  was  a  failure.     There 
was  then  a  good  choir  of  singers,  who,  with  Skipper 
Joe,    were   for   a   time   very  zealous   for   the  church. 
Now  that  the  place  had  a  little   church   of  its   own 
a  parson  and  clu^ir,  surely  there  was   no   motive  for 
the  people  to  go  to  Methodist  meeting.     But  still  they 
went   there ;  and  some  of  the  singers  went  to  make 
sport  at  the  bad  singing  in  the  Methodist  prayer-meet- 
ings.    But  soon  one  of  these  singers  became  awakened, 
and  cried  out  for  mercy  ;   another  and  another  became 
similarly  affected,  until  the  whole  choir  was  powerfully 
wrought    upon ;    several  found  peace   with    God,  and 


l:i.4 


.1 


i 


I 


888         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

all  joined  the   MetliocUst   Clmrcli.     Skipper   Joe,  tho 
parson,  also,  the  church  clerk,  and  several  of  the  in- 
hahitants,  were  all  tliou<Tht  to  be  quite  proof  against 
the  influence  of  Methodism.     But  not  m ;  for  soon  the 
clerk   went    to    the    Methodist    prayer-meetini^s,  was 
awakened  there,  and  joined   the   Methodist   Cinirch  : 
and  further.  Skipper  Joe  could  not  keep  away  from 
these  meetings,  and  his  mind,  after  a  while,  became 
seriously  impressed  with  th^  necessity  of  experiencincT 
the  converting  grace  of  God.     Our  nautical  friend  of 
Bonavista,  who  acted  in  this  locality  as  a  sort  of  rural 
dean,  now  got  alarmed ;  he  went  over  to  Bird  Island 
Cove,  and  made  some  strong  remarks  about  the  enthu- 
siasm of  the  Methodists,  and  the  people  going  mad.    To 
which.  Skipper  Joe  replied:    "Mr.  G.,  I  think  your 
remarks  are  very  unkind,  and  quite  uncalled  for  ;  I 
have  been  to  their  meetings,  and  have  seen  nothing  im- 
proper there.    It  is  a  solemn  thing  to  die,  and  to  die 
unpardoned,  and  in  one's  sins;  as  I  feel  is  the  case 
with  me."     "  What  do  you  mean  ?  "  was  the  indignant 
remark  of  our  Bonavista  parson  ;  "  you  have  a  salary 
from  the  society,^  and  if  you  go  among  these  Method- 
ists you  will  certainly  lose  it."     "  I  cannot  help  that," 
he  replied,  "  but  I  must  seek  the  salvation  of  my  soul." 
"  Oh,  "  said  Mr.  G.,  "  if  you  leave  us,  tlie  church  will 
go  down  here.    I  say,  do  you  be  firm.  Skipper  Joe." 
"  I  will  if  I  can,'"  said  Skipper   Joe.     "  Throw  the 
can  away,  and  be  firm  to  the  religion  of  your  fiithers," 
was  the  remark  of  our  Bonavista  friend.     Before  the 
close  of  the  next  week  this  man  became  a  subject  of 
the  srace  of  God,  and  cast  his  lot  among  the  despised 
Methodists  of  the  place. 

I  He  received  ten  pounds  per  annum  from  the  "  Society  for  the  Propa- 
gation of  the  Gospel  in  Foreign  Parts." 


RIES. 

per   Joe,  tho 
\\  of*  the  in- 
~»roof  against 
for  soon  the 
ieetino;s,  was 
ist   Ciiurdi  : 
)  away  from 
liile,  became 
experiencino; 
'al  friend  of 
sort  of  rural 
Bird  Island 
ut  tlie  enthu- 
ing  mad.    To 
I  think  your 
called  for ;  I 
ti  nothing  im- 
ie,  and  to  die 
:^1  is  the  case 
the  indignant 
have  a  salary 
hese  Method- 
ot  help  that," 
1  of  my  soul." 
he  church  will 
Skipper  Joe." 
"Throw  the 
your  fathers," 
[.     Before  the 
i  a  subject  of 
y  the  despised 

dety  for  the  Propa- 


BIRD   ISLAND   COVE. 


389 


If  service  was  to  be  held  in  Bird  Island  Gov.  church 
at  all  now,  noth  ncr  remiJnprl       f  c  •  " 

tain  to  go  there  in  C^  ^  ""'  "'"'"™'  ""'- 

,|J  e  -.7^  ,,  '      ""  ""'     "^afl  prayers.     Tin's  he 

l.d  fluthfu  ly  a,  long  a,  he  eonld.     lV.^e  was  a     ha! 

nne  a  senous  woman,  who  was   .still  faithful    „  '"' 

X  rff  "':<"'<'.-- '■-ply  ™|.-aed  with  tL  Z 

I  bcheve  sa,d  she,  "  what  the  Methodists  say  about 
a  change  of  heart  is  true;  but  I  do  not  think  it  isntes^ 
sao.  to  leave  the  church  in  order  to  get  that  ble.,sin; 
I  am  determ„,ed  to  seek  it  in  earnest;  but  I  will  be  a 
c  mrch  woman  still."  She  became  in  earnest,  for  sev! 
eral  days  was  a  deep  penitent,  and  ceased  not  mVhtand 

mo.ning,  as  the  captain  was  reading  pravers,  light  broke 
«l>«n  her  m,nd,  and  the  Spirit  of  G^od  w^as  g  ven   o  her  ■ 
an    s  e  was  enabled  to  cry,  "Abba,  Fatl.;:"   She  arol^ 
to  tel  the  congregat,on  what  God  had  done  for  her; 
but  It  was  an  mdecorum  there.     "  Woman  "  ealled  tl,„ 
captain,  "  sit  down."     At  firs^he  did  not'  obst  ^ 
remark  ;  and  .t  was  the  least  of  her  thoughts  to  disturb 
he  congregation  ;  but  the  mandate  was  repeated,  and 
was  promptly  observed  by  her,  for  she  sat  down  With- 
out a  word      But,  strange,  our  captain-parson  thought 
h.s  reproof  was  not  yet  suffleient ;  he  therefore,  the 
next  day   sent  a  note  to  this  good  woman,  in  which  he 
«.reatened  to  "  bind  her  over  to  keep  the  king's  peace, 
.f  she  ever  agam  so  disturbed  him  while  he  was  per- 
formmg  divme  worship."     In  relating  this  matter  to 
the  wnter    she  said,  "Thus  was  I  driven  from  the 
church,  and  compelled  to  be  a  Methodist ;  and,  oh  if  I 
can  keep  the  peace  I  have,  I  shall  be  happy." 

We  will  mention  one  more  incident  connected  with 
t.ie  revival  in  Bird  Island  Cove.     /' 


33 


our  friend  the 


II 

!    Ill; 


'2  '1 


S"ai 


I  !  In 


390         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

captain  could  not  sing,  and  all  the  choir  had  joined  the 
Wesleyan  Churcli,  he  deemed  it  necessary  to  take  some 
one  with  him  from  Bonavista  who  could  repeat  the 
responses  and  sing  a  psalm.     He  found  such  a  person, 
who  repeatedly  accompanied  him  on  his  mission  to  re- 
claim the  Methodists  from  the  error  of  their  ways.    But 
one  dark   night   this  new  clerk  stepped  between  two 
stones,  on  his  way  home,  and  very  seriously  sprained 
his  ankle ;  his  companion  could  render  him  but  little 
help,  and  while  help  was  coming  to  him,  he  lay  on  the 
ground  in  agonies  ;  and  when  at  length  assistance  came 
to  him,  and  a  little  rum  was  given  to  him,  —  which  was 
at  that  time  the  universal  panacea,  —  he  began  to  curse 
the    Methodists,   and   amongst   other    strange  things, 
Frank    exclaimed,  "If    these    Methodists   will   perish 
they  must,  for  I  will  not  go  any  more  to  save  them." 

After  this,  Methodism  met  with  but  little  opposition  in 
Bird  Island  Cove.  Many  have  been  brought  to  God  in 
that  place,  and  our  cause  there  still  continues  to  prosper. 

THE   FAMINE. 

We  must  again  return  to  the  temporal  circumstances 
of  the  people  in  Bonavista  and  Bird  Island  Cove  at 
this  very  trying  time.  No  sooner  did  that  terrible  epi- 
demic subside,  which  had  raged  for  so  many  months, 
and  had  made  such  gaps  in  family  circles,  than  great 
want  and  pinching  poverty  began  to  stare  the  people 
in  the  face,  which  continued  with  increasing  severity 
until  absolute  famine  was  the  result. 

At  that  time  the  seal-fishery  was  only  very  partially 
prosecuted  in  Bonavista,  as  three  schooners,  employing 
about  seventy  men,  constituted  their  entire  spring  fleet. 
There  were  then  no  farms,  no  manufactories,  no  public 
works  uf  any  kind ;   the  people  had  to  depend  upon 


THE    FAMINE. 


391 


the  cod-fishery  as  the  only  means  of  obtaining  a  sub- 
sistence.   In  that  northern  and  exposed  station  the  cod- 
fishery  does  not  commence  until  May,  and  closes  early 
in   October,  so  that  five  months  was  all  the  time  the 
men  could  be  employed  in  earning  a  livelihood   for 
themselves  and  families  for  the  whole  year.     If,  how- 
ever, the  fishery  were  good,  and  the  price  of  the  fish 
at  a  medium  rate,  these  five  months'  labor  would  supply 
ample  means  for  this  purpose.     But  the  summers  of 
1830  and   1831  had  been  remarkable  for  the  failure  of 
the  cod-fishery  in  these  parts,  and  particularly  was  this 
the  case  in  the  latter  year,  as,  at  the  close  of  the  season, 
the  catch  of  fish  was  only  one  half  the  average,  and 
the  price  had  fallen,  at  rates  ranging  from  twenty  to 
forty  shillings  per  quintal,  to  twelve.     The  winter  set 
in  with  unusual  severity  early  in  November,  and  for 
weeks  together  the  thermometer  ranged  from  15°  to 
18°   below  zero.     Moreover,  the  great  northern  jam 
of  ice  did  not  leave  the  coast  until  the  nineteenth  day 
of  June  ;  so  that  the  spring  supplies,  which  are  usually 
received  in  April,  did  not  arrive  till  near  the  last  of 
June.     One  of  the  severest  snow-storms  during  the 
season  was  on  the  fifth  of  May ;  and  the  ground  con- 
tinued frozen  until  near  the  month  of  June.    A  number 
of  cattle  died  for  want  of  food,  and,  during  the  night  of 
the  third  of  June,  nine  horses  died  from  the  same  cause. 
After  the' usual   time   for   obtaining   supplies   had 
passed,  the  most   appalling   distress  began  to  be  felt 
among  the  inhabitants,  and  particularly  was  this  the 
case  during  the  latter  part  of  the  month  of  May  and 
June.      There  were  no  provisions  in  the  merchants' 
stores,  and  no  amount  of  money  could  purchase  a  bar- 
rel of  flour  or  a  bag  of  bread.     Men  of  wealth  had  to 
dole  out  food  to  their  families  with  most  parsimonious 


'i; 


392 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


I.  :'■-! 


m 


care,  and  the  writer  with  his  family  was  restricted  to 
two  meals  a  day  for  three  weeks.  The  ice  on  the  coast 
prevented  the  arrival  of  vessels ;  the  seals  liad  gone  ;  and 
the  heavy  ice,  large  masses  of  which  grounded  in  deep 
water,  kept  the  cod-fish  from  coming  near  the  shore. 
A  severe  famine  was  felt  among  the  inhabitants ;  sev- 
eral famiUes  subsisted  on  nothing  but  potatoes  and  salt. 
Early  in  June  nearly  all  the  flour  and  bread  (sea  bis- 
cuit) was  exhausted,  and  the  cry  for  bread  ceased  be- 
cause it  was  not  to  be  had ;  but  the  mournful  cry,  "  For 
God's  sake  give  me  a  few  potatoes  to  save  my  children 
from  starvation,"  continued  to  be  uttered  with  the 
most  heart-rending  vehemence.  Individuals  have  passed 
the  whole  day  without  tasting  food,  and  strong  men 
were  seen  staggering  through  the  streets,  as  if  inebri- 
ated, as  the  effect  of  starvation. 

On  the  4th  of  June,  some  of  the  crew  of  a  schooner 
which  had  been  jammed  in  the  ice  for  a  long  time,  in 
sight  of  the  harbor,  came  on  shore,  and  reported  that 
their  companions  on  board  were  almost  perishing  from 
cold  and  hunger.  On  the  11th  of  June  a  party  of  men 
came  over  the  ice  from  Keels,  a  place  about  fifteen 
miles'  distant,  and  reported  that  one  woman  and  three' 
children  had  died  through  hunger.  The  following  is 
an  extract  from  the  journal  of  the  writer :  — 

"June  11,  1832.  —  I  this  morning  called  upo»  a  poor  widow 
with  six  children,  who  were  known  to  be  in  a  state  bordering  upon 
starvation ;  when,  after  communicating  to  her  the  painful  informa- 
tion, that  no  further  help  could  be  rendered  to  her,  whatever 
might  be  the  result,  I  desited  her  to  tell  me  plainly  what  food  she 
had,  and  what  were  her  prospects  of  living  through  the  famine. 
♦  I  will  do  so,'  she  replied.  She  then  uncovered  a  barrel  contain- 
ing two  or  three  buckets  of  potatoes.  '  This  is  all  the  food  I  have, 
and  all  I  ever  expect  to  have,  unless  the  Lord  in  mercy  should  see 
fit  to  give  us  a  change  of  wind,  so  as  to  take  the  ice  from  our 


IE3. 

»stricted  to 
m  the  coast 
.  gone ;  and 
ied  in  deep 
the  shore, 
itants ;  sev- 
es  and  salt, 
id  (sea  bis- 
ceased  be- 


THE   FAMINE. 


393 


cry, 


t( 


For 


ny  children 
I  with  the 
have  passed 
strong  men 
18  if  inebri- 

a  schooner 
mg  time,  in 
ported  that 
*ishing  from 
arty  of  men 
bout  fifteen 
I  and  three' 
following  is 


a,  poor  widow 
ordering  upon 
linful  informa- 
her,  whatever 
what  food  she 
;h  the  famine. 
)arrel  contain- 
le  food  I  have, 
rcy  should  see 
e  ice  from  our 


shores.'      She  had  been  a  stout,  healthy  woman,  but  is  reduced 
almost  to  a  skeleton  for  want  of  food  ;  but  now  with  tremulous 
hand,  with  totteiin^r  li,„b,  and  sunken  eye  she  sfood  before  me, 
and  said,  •  When  my  children  get  up  in  the  n)orninrr,  I  send 
them  round  to  beg  a  potato  from  the  neighbors ;  .f  the)'  succeed 
I  am  thankful,  and  it  saves  my  own  stock;  if  they  do  not  succeed, 
I  roast  two  or  three  potatoes' for  each  of  mv  children,  both  morn- 
ing  and  evening.     I  fear  to  boil  them,  because  of  waste;  and  I 
find  by  this  means  the  lives  of  my  children  can  be  saved  until 
my  potatoes  are  all  exhausted ;  when  my  heavenly  Father  may 
yet  smile  upon  us  and  send  us  deliverance.    But  I  am  resigned  to 
his  blessed  will.   Ho  knows  what  is  best  for  me.  I  am  happy  in  his 
love;  and  if  he  is  about  to  take  me  away  by  famine.  I  know  he 
will  take  me  to  heaven.    I  will  praise  him  for  all  his  mercies.' " 

Two  days  after  the  above  was  written,  when  a  deep 
gloom  sat  ui)on  every  countenance,  and  nothing  but 
starvation  seemed   to  be  the  fate  of  the  people,  sud- 
denly a  messenger  arrived  bringing  the  joyfid   news 
that  forty  bags  of  bread,  twenty  quintals  of  dry  fish, 
and  fifty  gallons  of  molasses,  were  already  in  Catalina, 
ten  miles  off,  for  the  relief  of  the  poor.    Had  it  rained 
bread  from  heaven,  it  could  not  have  come  more  unex- 
pectedly.    Food  in  Catalina  I   how  did  it  come  there  ? 
The  mystery  was  soon  explained.     The  news  of  dis- 
tress  had  reached  St.  Johns,  —  when  the  government 
promptly  sent  an  officer  round  the  head  of  both  Con- 
ception  and  Trinity  Bay,    to  Trinity  Harbor,  to   the 
magistrates  there,  with  orders  to  send  supplies  to  Bona- 
vista.    Just  then  a  light  north-west  wind  slacked  the 
ice  from  the  north  shore  of  Trinity  B^,  by  which  a 
boat  got  from  Trinity  to  Catalina,  with  the  above  sup- 
phes,  and  in  less  than  half  an  hour  after  the  arrival 
of  the  boat,  the  ice  again  came  in  and  stopped  all  navi- 
gation for  ten  days  more.     The  next  morning,  more 
than  one  hundred  men  walked  over  to  Catahna  to  re- 


€ 


m 


!i|  m 


I 


894         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 

ceive  rations,  —  when  the  above  articles  of  provisions 
were  divided  according  to  their  respective  families. 
One  hundred  and  seventy-six  families,  comprising  nine 
hundred  and  fourteen  individuals,  were  thus  relieved. 
At  length  a  south-west  wind  sprung  up,  which  in- 
creased to  a  gale,  by  which*  the  coast  was  cleared  of 
ice,  and  supplies  were  brought  for  the  relief  of  the 
inhabitants. 

REVIVALS. 

About  this  time  several  of  the  circuits  were  visited 
with  gracious  revivals  of  religion.     In  Carbonear  the 
Lord  poured  out  his  Spirit  upon  the  people,  and  in  the 
year  1829,  our  church  received  an  increase   of  one 
hundred  and  eighty-five  members.     In  the  month  ot 
October,  1839,  Mr.  Smithies  wrote  the  committee  from 
Harbor  Grace,  in  which  letter  he  says :   "  The  good 
work  of  God  is  prospering  in  an  astonishing  manner  in 
this  bay.     The  fire  of  heavenly  love  is  burning  rapidly 
and   brightly  throughout  the  whole  of  our   stations. 
More  than  five  hundred  souls  have  been  brought  out 
of  the  world  into  the  church  since  the  district  meeting, 
most  of  whom  are  savingly  converted  to  God."     In 
the   month   of   April,    1831,    Mr.    Nightingale   from 
Western  Bay  wrote  r''*' Since  last  July,  one  hundred 
and  sixty-four  persons  have  been  added  to  our  society, 
one  hundred  of  whom  have  found  '  redemption  in  the 
blood  of  Christ,  the  forgiveness  of  sins.'     The  greater 
part  of  these  are  young  persons,  some  of  whom  are 
considerably   gifted,   and  manifest  a  deep  interest  in 
the  welfare  of  their  fellow-creatures.     In  our  prayer- 
meetings  during  the  last  winter  they  have  rendered  us 
considerable  service."     The  following  letter  from  the 
pen  of  Dr.  Knight,  will  be  read  with  deep  interest :  — 


1  limi 

"I!' 
■Ill 

'  ill 


REVIVAI5. 


395 


"Bi-ACKHEAD,  June  25,  1830. 
TI,o  Blatkhoad  station  is   in  many  r«,p„ot,  an  important 

^  Ne„f„„„dla„,  »  well  k„o,vn  in  general  to  be,  U  eonsicleralte 
I.oo„.a,n,  not  le.,  than  2000  ,„„U,  three  fourths  of  Jhoma™ 
Protectants,  who  have  received  their  religious  instruetiore  le^ 
from  our  m.ss.onanes.      They  are    almost    without    exeep  b„ 

*.l,ghtlu  field  for  missionary  exertion, -extendinf!  over  a  line  of 
twelve  iiules  of  the  sea-coast  of  Conception  Bay.   i.  has  twoLi 
places  of  wo«hip,a„d  is  dissected  into  seven'harboiTorco'™, 
in  which  the  services  of  the  sanctuary  are  regularly  perform' 
The  geographical  extent  of  this  station  may  appear  very  limited 
anc  consequently  the  perfonnance  of  its   required    d  Jies  may 
appear  to  be  easy.     The  revei^e  of  this,  holever,  is     ,e  o"sT 
The  extreme  difficulty  of  walking,  the  necessity  of  t^ve  II 1  i" 
frequently,   the  absence  of  assistance  from  any  local  prefc  1^ 
and  almost  the  whole  of  official  exertion  devolving  upon  the  n^I.' 
sionary,  render  it  in  truth  a  most  laborious  circuit^    Often   ha  e  ■ 
I  gone  as  far  as  strength  and.  time  would  admit,  and  have  yet 
fallen  short  m   the  accomplishment  of  what  hi  been  ftrthe' 

sTetT      ir  '""'  'T'  ''"'*'^''  •""="  "=""«'»  -<!  -"dered 

nH;    r         .'"'""'*'  ""^""'8'*'  "'■'"'  '■»™  «»"«<•  to  the 

the  wl  1  r,  T-  """"'•'''''•  '"'""«  f™""  redemption  in 
the  blood  of  Jesus,  have  sped  their  flight  to  the  mansions  of  God 

of  biss  and  hundreds  more  are  journeying  thither.  This  station 
received  no  small  share  of  the  laboi,  of  thl  zealous  missionaries" 
Mc^rs    Coughlan    Black,  Thoresby,  and  Smith,  and  was  in  no 

wZ  hf  *T       .  ''^.*'"  ■"'"''">' '  ■»  »'^  by  that  of  those 

who  have  from  time  to  time  succeeded  them,  and  are  now  labor- 
ing m  the  parent  country,  and  in  other  parts  of  the  mission-field. 

church  to  pour  do^n  upon  us  the  plenitude  of  his  grace,  in  a 
more  remarkable  manner  than  ever  was  previously  witnessed.- 

In  this  revival,  which  was  very  extensive,   several 
old  members  were  quickened,  many  backsliders  were 


1  u 


Methodist  Magazine,"  1634 


61. 


396         NEWFOUNDLAND     AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 

restored  ;  and  one  hundred  and  thirty  persons  were 
added  to  the  society.  Tlic  centre  of  the  revival  was 
the  north  shore  of  Conception  Bay,  yet  every  circuit 
in  the  district,  from  Bonavista  to  Grand  Bank,  felt  its 
influence. 

In  the  minutes  of  Conference  for  1829,  our  returns 
show  an  increase  of  99  members  ;  in  183^  an  increase 
of  128 ;  and  in  1831,  our  increase  was  661.  In  1829, 
our  number  was  1133,  and  in  1831,  we  returned  1848 
members  ;  showing  an  increase  in  our  membership  in 
three  years,  of  715  persons.  The  history  of  Metho- 
dism in  previous  times  can  supply  no  such  returns  for 
the  Newfoundland  District.  The  blessed  effects  of 
this  revival  were  felt  for  many  years,  and  some  arc  still 
livinc  who  were  broutjht  to  God  at  the  time  of  which 
we  are  now  writing. 


mi 

i!     ii 


k 


II ' 


1 1  iiii; 


I  iii 


CHAPTER    XVII. 


REMOVAL  OF  THE  WRITER  -  STATIONS,  1835  -  WILLIAM  MUHRAY  -  DR. 
WARREN  —KXTKN8ION  OF  THE  NEWFOUNDLAND  MISSION  —  VISITING 
MISSIONARIES- WESTERN  SIK.UE-ORKEN  BAY- STATIONS  F«.R  1845 

—  JAHEZ  INGHAM— JAMES  NORRIS  —  JOHN  SNOWBALL  —  WILLIAM 
MARSHALL  —  RICHARD  WILLIAMS  —  LABRADOR  —  CANADA  CONFER- 
ENCE -  NEWFOUNDiAnD    BIHLE   SOCIETY -FLY-SIlkKT     AOITA  J  ION 

—  MISSIONARY  INCOME  FOR  1862  — FRENCH  CONFERENCE  —  AUNTKA- 
LA8IAN  CONFERENCE—  CONFERENCE  OF  EASTERN  BRITISH  AMERICA 

—  JOHN   BEECHAM,  D.  D«— STATIONS  OF  NEWFOUNDLAND  DISTRICT, 

IN  the   year  1834,   the  writer  removed   to   Prince 
Edward   Island  ;   and  on   the   28th   of  June,  the 
following  entry  was  made  in  his  journal ; 

"  I  have  this  day  left  Newfoundland  for  another  sphere  of  labor. 
On  that  island  I  spent  fourteen  years,  one  month,  and  seven  days. 
I  have  walked  many  hundreds  of  miles  on  its  rough  shores,  sailed 
along  its  rock-bound  coasts  at  almost  all  seasons  of  the  vear ;  have 
been  extensively  acquainted  with  its  inhabitants ;  hare  seen  many 
souls  converted  to  God,  and  witnessed  the  piety  of  hundreds ; 
have  experienced  the  kindness  and  partaken  of  the  hospitality 
for  which  the  Newfoundlanders  are  so  characteristic,  from  For- 
tune Bay  to  Bonavista ;  have  labored  in  eight  of  its  circuits.     I 
leave  hundreds  of  affectionate  friends  and  fellow-travellers  to  Zion, 
with  whom  my  soul  is  united,  and  with  whom  I  could  live  and  die. 
Farewell,  Newfoundland,  farewell,  dear  friends,  —  we  shall  not 
again  meet  on  earth,  but  let  us  resolve  to  meet  in  heaven. 

"  There  all  the  ship's  company  meet, 
Who  sailed  with  the  Saviour  beneath ; 
With  shouting  each  other  they  greet, 
And  triumph  o'er  trouble  and  death. 


"  The  voyage  of  life 's  at  an  end, 
The  mortal  affliction  is  past; 


(397) 


898 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


The  nge  that  in  heaven  they  spend, 
Forex      an<f  c\  ^r  shall  lust." 

For  tilt*  year  it  „  ,  tfm  following  were  the  stations 
for  tho  Nv;wfwundlaml  T^istrict,  as  they  appear  on  the 
priiitpfl  minxites  :  — 

St.  JolJ.Ns  — John  Smitliiea. 
HaAmor  Grace  —  John  Haigh. 
CAHPOniCA  n  —-  CfHorge  EUidge. 

BLACKUEAli,    WksTKRN    BaY,  AND    Isi  AND    CoVE — 

William  Fau/kner,  Ingham  Sutc'liff. 
Peklican  and  Hants'  Hauuor  —  Joseph  F.  Bent. 
Port  de  Grave  —  Thomas  Aiigwin. 
Brious  and  Cubits  — John  Pickavant. 
Trinity  Bay  —  William  Ellis. 
Bona  VISTA  and  Catalina  —  Adam  Nightingale. 
Grand  Bank —  William  Murray. 
Burin  —  James  G.  Ilennigar. 

From  this  time,  the  change  of  ministers  between 
Newfoundland  and  these  provinces  became  very  fre- 
qucr  "  and  included  a  number  of  brethren  who  are  still 
our  tellow-laborers ;  for  which  reason  we  shall  not 
attempt  to  sketch  any  character  except  those  who  have 
been  called  to  their  reward. 

Beside  those  of  our  departed  brethren  whom  we  have 
previously  noticed,  the  name  of  William  Murry  is 
now  on  our  death-roll.  As  we  had  no  personal  ac- 
quaintance with  brother  Murry,  we  shall  transcribe  the 
obituary  notice  of  him  as  found  in  the  minutes  of  the 
British  conference :  — 

"  William  Murry  .vas  a  native  of  Barnard  Castle,  Durham, 
and  in  early  life  was  made  a  subject  of  saving  grace.  Soon  after 
his  conversion,  under  a  conviction  of  duty  to  God  and  his 
church,  he  offered  himself  as  a  candidate  for  our  mission  work, 
and  was  accepted  by  the  conference.  For  several  years  hu  la- 
bored in  New  BruDsv.  'n  and  Nova  Scotia,  with  benefit  to  many 
souls.    In  1834,  he  va?  .   .  ji.  ate''  to  the  Newfoundland  District, 


VRIE8. 


DR.  WARRKN. 


899 


the  stations 
ppear  on  the 


LAND  Cove  — 
jeph  F.  Bent 

I* 

Hghtingalo. 


tera  between 
me  very  fre- 
who  are  still 
we  shall  not 
^se  who  have 

horn  we  have 
\,m  Muriy  is 
personal  ac- 
ranscribe  the 
linutes  of  the 


astle,  Durham, 
ce.  Soon  after 
God  and  his 
r  mission  work, 
ral  years  he  la- 
)enefit  to  many 
ndland  District, 


where  ho  preached  the  jjospol  with  zeal  and  acceptance  in  the 
ilarl)„r  (Jrace  and  Port  I)e  (Jrave  Circnits.     Hnrinj;  his  stay  in 
the  latter  circuit,  hi«  health  became  so  impaired  th.     hfs  imn.ediate 
removal  from  the  island  was  ne-  essary.     After  visiting  Lis  native 
and  au.l  the  West  In.lies,  with.,  .t  any  in.provem.  ..(  Ir,  his  health 
his  afflictions  were  augmented  by  tho  death  -f  l,is  beh.vcr)  wifi. 
^•ho  exchange,!  mortality  for  life,  in  St.  Johns.   .Cew  Brunswi.k' 
Jrom  that  tmie  his  afllK-tion  increased  ;  hut  his  consolation  in  the 
Lord  became  strong.     To  many  of  his  brethren  he  <rave  satisfac- 
tory evidence  of  his  well-grounded  hope  in  his  Redeemer;  and 
termmated  his  extreme  suflerings  on  the  16th  of  January,  1840." 

The  year  1835  was  a  time   of  great  agitation  and 
anxiety  to  the  Wesleyan  connee'.on,  owing  to  the  at- 
tempts of  Dr.  Warren  and  a  body  of  men  calling  them- 
selves the  "  Grand  Central  Association,"  who,  because 
their  views  on  certain  subjects  were  not  adopted   and 
carried  out,  sought  to  divide  our  societies  and  thereby 
destroy  the  whole  influence  of  Methodism.     For  a  time 
a  gloom  hung  over  the  connection,  and  the  friends  of 
the  missionary  cause,  in  some  cases,  began  to  despair, 
lest   their   finance:;  would  be  so   interfered  with   that 
many  mission  stations  would  have  to  be  abandoned  and 
the  glory  of  Methodism  as  a  great  missionary  church 
thus  flide  and  pass  away.    But  our  Great  Captain  would 
not  thus  abandon  his  followers.     On  the  contrary,  this 
agitation  was  overruled  for  good  ;  the  members  of  our 
church  became  more  firm  and  decided  ;  there  was  an  in- 
crease in  our  societies  the  very  next  year  of  2,144,  in 
Great  Britain!,  and  on  the  mission-stations  of  7,577  ; 
and  our  missionary  income  for  the  year  ending  in  April' 
1836,  was  £70,996  Is.  lU.     Our  members  in  New- 
foundland now  numbered  1,747,  and  our  total  mission- 
ary membership  was  61,803. 

From  the  year  1816  to  1840,  a  period  of  twenty-five 
years,  the  number  of  our  missionaries,  and  the  number 


!. 


ill! 


I!      : 


iW 


i!!!jl';' 


!  "it  i:' 


i'iiia!- 


400 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


and  locality  of  our  mission-stations,  continued  nearly 
the  same  ;  which  was  sometimes  eleven  stations,  some- 
times twelve,  accordingly  as  eleven  or  twelve  men 
were  appointed  to  the  district.  But  in  the  year  1841, 
our  mission  began  to  extend  by  the  appointment  of 
William  Marshall  as  a  visiting  missionary  to  that  ex- 
tensive tract  of  country  between  Fortune  Bay  and 
Cape  Ray,  called  the  Western  Shore.  "  Visiting 
missionary  "  was  then  almost  a  new  phrase  in  the  no- 
menclature of  Newfoundland  Methodism  ;  but  it  was  a 
wise  arrr.no-ement  to  visit  certain  harbors  during  the 
summer  season,  and  preach  the  gospel  to  people,  many 
of  whom  had  never  heard  a  sermon  or  seen  a  Protest- 
ant minister  during  their  whole  life. 

Of  this  important  mission,  the  committee,  in  their 
report  for  1841,  page  106,  make  the  following  state- 
ment :  — 

'*  Fifty-two  harbors  have  been  visited,  in  several  of  which  the 
inhabitants  are  deeply  sunk  in  ignorance,  superstition,  and 
depravity.  Nor  is  this  to  be  wondered  at,  when  it  is  considered 
that  many  of  them  were  never  visited  before  by  any  Christian 
minister  within  the  memory  of  the  oldest  settlers  ;  while  in  every 
one  of  them  there  is  a  great  destitution  of  the  means  of  religious 
Improvement.  With  the  exception  of  one  school,  which  was 
formed  by  the  missionary  during  his  visit,  and  perhaps  one  or  two 
others,  there  is  no  provision  made  for  the  education  of  the  rising 
generation  along  the  entire  extent  of  the  western  shore  (a  dis- 
tance of  about  one  hundred  miles).  '  There  are,'  the  visiting 
missionary  writes,  '  several  harbors  in  which  there  is  not  a  single 
individual  that  can  read,  nor  a  copy  of  the  sacred  volume  to  be 
found ;  and  these  are  Protestants,  and  chiefly  the  descendants  of 
Englishmen.'  These  poor  neglected  sheep  of  the  Redeemer,  whom 
ho  hath  purchased  with  his  blood,  received  the  agent  of  the  society 
gladly  into  their  humble  dwellings;  they  listened  with  breathless  at- 
tention and  many  tears  to  the  message  of  mercy  which  he  delivered ; 
and  on  his  leaving  them,  their  earnest  inquiry  was,  '  Oh  !  when 
shall  we  see  another  minister.'  The  committee  trust  that  the 
time  is  not  distant,  when,  by  means  of  Britisii  benevolence,  not 


'lARIES. 

itinued  nearly 
stations,  some- 
[•  twelve  men 
ihe  year  1841, 
ppointment  of 
ry  to  that  ex- 
une  Bay  and 
'e.  *'  Visiting 
rase  in  the  no- 
i ;  but  it  was  a 
Drs  (luring  the 
D  people,  many 
seen  a  Protest- 

littee,  in  their 
bllowing  state- 

eral  of  which  the 
superstition,  and 
in  it  is  considered 
by  any  Christian 
s  ;  while  in  every 
neans  of  religious 
ihool,  which  was 
erhaps  one  or  two 
ition  of  the  rising 
em  shore  (a  dis- 

are,'  the  visiting 
ere  is  not  a  single 
!red  volume  to  be 
he  descendants  of 
J  Redeemer,  whom 
gent  of  the  society 
with  breathless  at- 
fhich  he  delivered ; 
'  was,  '  Oh  !  when 
ce  trust  that  the 

benevolence,  not 


GREEN    RAY. 


401 


on  y  the  occupants  of  Hermitage  Bay  and  the  .oast  to  the  west, 
but  the  inhabitants  of  qU  the  hitherto  neglected  harbors  of  that 
.  Inland  W.11  have  faithful  Christian  pastors  settled  amongst  them, 
taithiully  'warning  and  teaching  them  in  all  wisdom."' 

The  next  year  John  S.  Addy  was  appointed  visitincr 
missionary  to  Green  Bay.  Thus  by  means  of  these 
visitmg  missionaries  the  extreme  points  of  Britisli  New- 
foundland were  reached,  — for  the  western  shore 
reaches  to  Cape  Ray  where  the  French  shore  com- 
mences ;  and  the  District  of  Green  Bay  extends  north- 
east to  Cape  John,  where  it  terminates. 

The  mission  to  Green  Bay  was  very  successful,  for  in 
the  minutes  of  1844,  45  members  are  returned  for  the 
Green  Bay  Circuit.  William  Marshall,  who  was  then 
stationed  at  Green  Bay,  in  a  letter  to  the  committee, 
dated  Twilhngate,  December  6th,  1844,  says :  — 

"  The  conduct  of  our  members  in  the  circuit  generally,  but  in 
this  place  m  particular,  is  unimpeachable ;  they  are  enabled  by 
grace,  to  walk  as  becometh  the  gospel.  One  has  exchanged  mor- 
tality for  life.  He  died  joyfully  triumphing  over  the  last  enemy. 
A  tew  have  been  added  to  our  number,  one  of  whom  had  been  a 
violent  persecutor.  His  wife  has  been  a  member  of  our  society 
for  the  last  eighteen  months,  but  was  much  opposed  by  him  ;  she 
stood  firm  in  the  hour  of  trial,  and  now  her  prayers  are  answered 
m  his  salvation.    We  give  God  the  glory." 

In  several  circuits  on  the  island  there  were  revivals 
of  religion,  and  the  brethren  had  great  cause  for 
thanksgiving  to  God  and  much  encouragement  in 
their  work. 

In  1845,  the  Wesleyan  Missionary  Society  had 
greatly  extended,  so  that  its  income  reached  the  large 
amount  of  £110,462  9s.  lOc^ ;  the  number  of  its  mis- 
sionaries was  382  ;  its  other  paid  agents,  1,608  ;  chil- 
dren in  our  Sabbath  schools,  65,431 ;  and  our  mission- 
ary membership  was  102,750. 


34* 


402  NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSION  ARfES. 


I 


PPi 


ill 


iii;;; 


In  Newfoundland  we  had  fifteen  circuits  and  thirteen 
missionaries.  The  printed  station-sheet  reads  as  fol- 
lows :  — 

St.  Johns  —  Richard  Williams,  John  Brewster. 

Harbor  Grace  —  William  Faulkner. 

Carbonear — John  Snowball. 

Blackhead  — James  England. 

Island  Cove,  —  James  Norris. 

Perlican  —  William  Marshall. 

Port  de  Grave,  —  George  EUidge. 

Brigus — John  S.  Addv. 

Bona  VISTA  — Jabez  Ingham. 

Burin  —  Samuel  W.  Sprague. 

Grand  Bank  —  Adam  Nightingale. 

Hermitage  Cove  —  One  wanted. 

Trinity  Bay — John  Peach. 

Green  Bay  —  Thomas  Angwin. 

Hants'  HaUbor  —  One  wanted. 

Richard  Williams,  Chairman  of  District 

Of  the  missionaries  in  the  above  list,  the  brethren 
Faulkner,  Ellidge,  and  Nightingale,  we  have  before 
spoken.  Jabez  Ingham  is  now  laboring  in  England, 
and  in  1863,  was  stationed  at  Howden,  in  the  Hull 
District.  James  Norris  removed  to  Canada  in  1854 ; 
and  in  1863,  his  station  was  StoufFville,  in  the  Whitby 
District.  John  Snowball  and  Thomas  Angwin  have  re- 
tired from  the  work  as  supernumeraries ;  John  Brev;s- 
ter,  James  England,  John  S.  Addy,  and  Samuel  W. 
Sprague  are  laboring  in  these  provinces  ;  while  the 
Drethren  Marshall  and  Williams  have  gone  to  their 
reward. 

William  Marshall  was  born  in  1811,  and  entered  the 
ministry  in  1838.  He  was  a  man  of  great  devotion 
to  his  work,  and  the  holiness  of  his  life  was  proverbial. 
He  was  "  instant  in  season  and  out  of  season."  .  But 
his  ministerial  course  was  short.  He  labored  for  some 
time  on  the  western  shore,  then  removed  to  the  other 


RICHARD   WILLIAMS. 


403 


nan  of  District. 


John  Brev/s- 


extremity  of  the  island,  Green  Bay,  where  liis  labors 
were  especially  owned  of  God.  He  closed  his  public 
labors  with  the  watch-night  services,  and  died  on  the 
9th  of  January,  1846,  in  the  thirty-fifth  year  of  his 
life,  and  the  eighth  of  his  ministry.  The  minutes 
make  this  record  of  this  excellent  young  man  :  — 

"  His  memory  is  embalmed  in  the  hearts  of  an  affectionate  peo- 
ple, who  have  been  brought  to  God  chiefly  through  his  instru- 
mentality. In  the  judgment  of  his  brethren,  excessive  labors 
and  privations  injured  his  constitution,  and  hastened  his  end." 

His  remains  He  interred  in  Twillingate,  awaiting  the 
trump  of  the  Archangel,  which  shall  "  wake  the 
slumbering  dead." 

Richard  Williams  was  born  in  the  year  1789.     His 
parents  were  members  of  the  Episcopal  Church,  and 
he  wa:j  brought  up  within  its  pale.     When  about  six-  ) 
teen  years  of  age,  under  the  preaching  of  Wesleyan 
ministers,  he  was  led  to  see  himself  a  sinner,  who  must 
experience  the  pardoning  mercy  of  God  or  perish  for- 
ever.    He  was  directed  to  look  to  the  "  Lamb  of  God 
who  taketh  away  the  sin  of  the  world."     He  looked 
by  faith  ;  his  sins  were  forgiven,  and  he  was  made  a 
new  creature.    He  entered  the  itinerant  work  in  1813. 
He  labored  two  years  in  England,  when  he  offered 
himself  for  the  missionary  work,  and  was  appointed  to 
Quebec,     He  labored  ten  years  in  Canada,  when  the 
missionary  committee  appointed  him,  in  1825,  to  St. 
John,  New  Brunswick.     Methodism,  in  that  city,  was 
then  in  a  languishing  and  almost  a  paralyzed  condition, 
owing  to  certain   untoward  circumstances  which   had 
occurred  the  previous  year.     The  firm  and  judicious 
manner  of  Mr.  Williams  tended  greatly  to  allay  the 
still  existing  excitement,  to  preserve  pur  cause  there, 


and 


give  It  a  now  impetus.     For  several  years  Mr. 


404 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSION ARTES. 


4\ 


jI^^B  I 


Williams  was  chairman  of  the  Now  Brunswick  Dis- 
trict. Ho  wont  to  England  in  1840,  and  labored  two 
years  in  the  Holstone  Circuit,  in  the  Cornwall  District. 
He  returned  to  New  Brunswick  in  1842,  and  was  sta- 
tioned at  Frederickton  ;  and  the  next  year  he  was 
appointed  chairman  of  the  Newfoundland  District. 
This  important  position  he  held  for  five  years,  until 
his  numerous  infirmities  compelled  him  to  retire  from 
the  rof^iilar  work.  He  removed  to  Nova  Scotia,  and 
resided  five  years  as  a  supernumerary  in  the  village 
of  Bridgetown,  in  the  Annapolis  District.  Through 
the  whole  of  his  ministerial  life  his  character  was  irre- 
proachable. Firm  and  inflexible  was  his  attachment 
to  all  parts  of  Methodism ;  and  in  carrying  out  its 
discipline,  his  manner  was  thought,  by  some,  to  be 
austere,  if  not  stubborn  ;  but  his  judgment  was  gen- 
erally correct,  and  his  decision  was  made  in  accord- 
ance with  the  strictest  integrity,  and  the  most  consci- 
entious conviction  of  law  and  rectitude.  He  was  a 
good  divine ;  and  his  preaching  was  always  rich  in 
evangelical  truth,  characterized  by  a  clear  exposition 
of  our  doctrines,  particularly  by  the  prominence  which 
he  gave  to  those  great  scriptural  doctrines,  justification 
by  faith  and  entire  holiness.  His  death  was  very  sud- 
den. It  was  his  frequent  prayer  that  he  might  labor 
to  the  end  of  his  life,  and  he  would  often  express  his 
desire  in  the  words  of  our  poet :  — 

"  Oh,  that  without  a  lingering  groan, 
I  may  the  welcome  word  receive ; 
My  body  with  my  charge  lay  down, 
And  cease  at  once  to  work  aud  live !  ** 

His  prayer  was  answered,  for  he  preached,  on  the 
Sabbath  previous  to  his  death,  at  Tupperville,  from 
Isaiah    xL  31.     On   Thursday  afternoon  he  was  ob- 


LABRADOR. 


405 


served  to  be  unusually  cheerful,  and  retired  to  rest 
witliout  any  apparent  cliani^e  in  his  health.  About 
midnight  he  complained  of  cold  ;  when  a  light  was 
procured,  the  sweat  of  death  was  upon  him  ;  he  raised 
his  eyes  to  heaven  as  if  in  devotion,  fell  back  uj)on  his 
pillow,  and  expired  without  a  sigh  or  groan.  He  died 
August  1st,  1856,  in  the  sixty-seventh  year  of  his  age, 
and  the  forty-fifth  of  his  ministry. 

LABRADOR. 

rt  is  the  practice  of  many  wealthy  planters  in  New- 
foundland, who  own  schooners,  when  those  schooners 
have  returned  from  the  ice  in  the  spring,  to  refit,  and 
send  them  to  the  coast  of  Labrador  for  the  summer 
fishing.  In  these  vessels  many  entire  families  and 
hundreds  of  individuals  go  to  prosecute  their  business, 
and  are  thus  absent  for  months  from  the  means  of 
grace,  and  from  all  religious  instruction.  Many 
persons  also  go  there  from  Nova  Scotia,  and  the  United 
States,  for  the  purpose  of  fishing;  besides  which,  a 
motley  group  of  traders,  settlers,  sailors,  and  Indians, 
are  found  in  the  different  harbors  of  those  distant 
shores,  who  make  no  profession  of  religion,  take  no 
notice  whatever  of  the  holy  Sabbath,  and  who  spend 
what  leisure  they  may  have,  in  dancing,  drinking,  and 
other  acts  of  dissipation  and  crime.  Many  members 
of  our  church  were  among  these  itinerant  fishermen, 
who  deeply  felt  their  loss  and  destitution ;  and  not  a 
few  of  them  yielded  to  the  temptations  by  which  they 
were  surrounded,  and  fell  from  the  way  of  religion 
and  truth. 

For  many  years  had  the  missionaries  deplored  this 
state  of  things,  and  mourned  over  those  backsliders 
who    were    so    frequently    produced    thereby.      But 


1 


i  1 1 


yiisB 


,4^ 


406         NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   H'S    MISSIONARIES. 

what  to  do,  or  how  to  apply  a  remedy,  they  could  not 
tell,  until  the  "  Visiting  Missionary  "  system  came  into 
operation,  when  it  was  soon  seen  that  this  would  meet 
the  case  exactly.  Therefore,  after  trying  the  experi- 
ment with  success  at  the  western  shore,  the  coast  of 
Labrador  was  taken  up  as  a  proper  place  where  one  of 
the  brethren  mioht  be  usefully  employed  in  preaching 
the  gospel  during  the  summer  months.  Accordingly, 
in  the  summer  of  1845,  a  visiting  missionary  was  sent 
there  and  held  religious  services,  as  class-meetings, 
prayer-meetings,  and  preaching  the  gospel,  in  fourteen 
different  places  along  the  coast.  This  most  important 
missionary  work  is  still  carried  on  with  vigor  by  the 
brethren  of  the  Newfoundland  District. 

In  Canada  the  mission  work  had  greatly  extended. 
The  first  Wesleyan  appointment  to  that  country  was 
in  1814,  when  John  Strong,  was  sent  to  Quebec,  and 
the  number  of  our  members  in  all  Canada  was  thirty- 
two.  In  1847,  the  mission  stations  in  Canada  were 
organized  into  a  separate  conference,  with  Robert 
Alder,  D.  D.,  President,  and  Matthew  Richey,  A.  M., 
co-delecate.  The  Canada  Conference  was  the  fi,rst 
of  the  "  affiliated  conferences,"  and  at  its  commence- 
ment it  had  six  districts,  88  circuits,  181  ministers, 
and  supernumeraries,  and  21,749  members. 

NEWFOUNDLAND  BIBLE  SOCIETY. 

For  many  years  had  "  the  British  and  Foreign  Bible 
Society  "  liberally  supplied  copies  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures to  the  people  "  without  money  and  without 
price  ; "  but  at  length  the  Christian  public  of  St.  Johns 
felt  it  was  their  duty  for  themselves  to  become  sul> 
scribers,  and  assist  the  parent  body  in  their  noble  effort 
to  supply  every  human  being  with  a  copy  of  the  word 


NEWFOUNDLAND    BIBLE    SOCIETY.  407 

of  God      Accordingly,  in  the  month  of  March,  1846,  a 
few  individuals  met  together  to  talk  the  matter  over 
and  to    make  ar.-angements   for  the  formation  of  an 
auxiliary  Bible  Society  for  the  Island   of  Newfound- 
land.       In    the    month   of   May   following,    a   public 
meeting  was  held  in  the  Commercial  Room,  when  the 
Bib  e  Society  was  organized,  of  which  the  Honorable 
Wiiham  Thomas  was  chosen  the  first  president.      The 
friends  of  the   Bible  Society  now  began  zealously  to 
solicit  subscriptions  in  order  to  promote  the  objects  of 
the  society,  when  their  efforts  received  a  severe  check 
by  a  great  fire,  which  occurred  on  the  9tli  of  June 
and  which   laid   a   great  part   of  the  town  in  ashes! 
Befoi-e  the  people  had  recovered  from  the  shock  and 
suffering  occasioned  by  this  conflagration,  another  fear- 
ful catastrophe  happened;  it  was  a  violent  hurricane 
with  which  the  eastern  coast  was  visited  on  the  19th 
of  September.     The  wind  was    from    the   north-east, 
and  blew  directly  upon  the  shore ;  many  fishing-boats, 
and  several  larger  vessels  were  driven  ashore,  and  near 
twenty  persons  were  known  to  have  found  a  watery 
grave.     Fishing-nets  and  fishing-stages  were  destroyed 
by  the  undertow  ;  fishing-flakes  were  blown  down  "the 
fish  scattered  on  the  ground,  and  the  means  the  poor 
fishermen    had  of  purchasing  their  winter's   supplies 
were  thus  taken  away.     In  the  forest  many  trees  were 
torn  up  by  the  roots.     In  the  town  of  St.  Johns,  the 
new  Episcopal  Church,  although  not  thrown  down,  was 
moved  from  its  foundation;  a  large  hall,   which   had 
afforded  shelter  to  many  whose  houses  were  destroyed 
m  the  late  fire,  was  blown  down,  and  several  persons 
buned  m  the  ruins ;  two  were  killed  on  the  spot,  and 
others    were    seriously    injured ;  many   houses   were 
injured  and  some  were  destroyed.      Added  to  this,  the 


408 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    IT8   MISSIONARIES. 


li 


M 


potato  crop  failed,  and  starvation  drove  many  persons 
from  the  out-harbor  to  tlie  metropoHs  to  seek  for  assist- 
ance to  enabk;  them  to  pass  the  coming  winter. 

In  tlie  midst  of  all  this  suffering,  the  friends  of  the 
Bible  Society  in  St.  Johns,  while  they  gave  am[)ly  of 
their  means  to  support  the  poor,  also  gave  liberally  to 
the  funds  of  the  society.  The  first  anniversary  of  the 
Newfoundland  Auxiliary  Bible  Society  was  held  on 
Wednesday,  March  24,  1847,  at  which  were  present 
all  the  ministers  of  the  non-conforming  bodies,  and 
many  of  the  most  pious  and  most  respectable  laymen 
on  the  island.  The  parent  society  in  their  published 
report  for  that  year,  acknowledge  the  receipt  from  St. 
Johns,  Newfoundland,  of  the  sum  of  £125  sterling,  as 
a  free  contribution ;  besides  which  Bibles  and  testa- 
ments were  ordered  for  sale,  to  the  amount  of 
£121  16«.  1(^.  sterling. 

In  the  year  1849,  commenced  what  was  called  the 
*'  Fly-Sheet "  agitation ;  by  which  the  connection  in 
various  parts  of  England  was  seriously  disturbed. 
These  "  fly-sheets "  were  anonymous  publications, 
issued  either  by  certain  ministers  of  the  conference, 
Gv  with  their  connivance  and  knowledge.  No.  1  of 
these  hostile  publications  came  from  the  press  in  either 
1844,  or  1845.  No.  2  was  published  in  1846;  and 
No.  3,  in  1847.  These  papers  were  characterized  by 
intense  bitterness  of  feeling  in  reference  to  certain  ex- 
cellent ministers  who  were  their  brethren,  and  whom 
they  described  as  "indolent,"  "selfish,"  "artful," 
"  ambitious,"  and  "  tyrannical ; "  and  also  by  other 
personalities  so  grossly  offensive  and  libellous,  that  the 
parties  issuing  them  did  not  dare  to  affix  the  name  of 
either  the  printer  or  publisher.  And  further:  "they 
declared  that  the  resources  of  the  connection  were  per- 


FLY-SHEET    AGITATION. 


409 


verted  to  uphold  a  system  of  favoritism,  oppression, 
and  extra vacrunco ;  tluit  many  of  the  public  acts  of  the 
conference  proceeded  from  corrupt  motives,  or  were  of 
a  mischievous  tendency;  and  while  suggesting  exten- 
8ive  changes  in  its  system  of  proceeding,  and  represent- 
ing  the  members  of  the  conference  as  enslaved,  and 
longing  for  emancipation,  they  exhorted  them  to 
vigorous  and  united  efforts  to  sliake  off  the  unhallowed 
yoke."  1 

No  well  regulated  body  could  long  exist  if  its  mem- 
bers were  thus  allowed  to  insult  and  assail  each  other  ; 
hence   it   became   a   matter  of  justice  as  well  as  of 
necessity  to  bring  the  discipline  of  the  body  to  bear 
against   the  offending  parties.     The   result   was   that 
three  ministers  were  expelled  from  the  connection,  and 
three  others  were  formally  censured.     But  the  agita- 
tion   continued,   and   although   the   minutes   of  1850 
report  an  increase  in  Great  Britain  of  10,000  members  • 
yet  the  minutes  of  1851  show  a  decrease  of  46  068  • 
and  the  minutes  of  1852  show  a  further  decrease  of 
-0,946;  in  1853,  the  decrease  was  10,298;  in  1854 
1^5,797;  in  1855,  3,310.     The  total   loss  of  members 
during  these  five  years  was  97,858  ;  so  that  while  our 

ZZ^To  '"J^^^  '''''  ^^^'2^^'  ^"  1855,  they  were  only 
^t>0,858.  Here  the  ebb  ceased,  and  there  has  been  con- 
stant increase  of  members  to  our  church  in  Great  Britain 
every  year  since.  Many  of  our  people  after  a  time  re- 
turned  ;  many  thousands  never  returned ;  but  great 
numbers  returned  to  the  world  and  to  their  former  evil 
ways.  Terrible  as  were  these  trials,  they  had  their 
benefits,  for  they  removed  from  us  the  contentious  and 
disaffected,  and  the  connection  has  had  peace  ever 
since.     Another  benefit  was,  they  led  to  a  full  ex- 

^  Minutes  of  Conference  for  1 


85 


p.  166. 


410 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


planation  of  some  of  our  rules,  which  many  persons 
considered  as  not  sufficiently  explicit.  Thus  the  agita- 
tion of  Dr.  Warren  led  to  a  clear  and  explicit  view  of 
Methodistic  law  as  to  tlie  trial  of  private  members  and 
their  right  of  appeal.  This  is  explained  in  the  minutes 
of  1835.  The  "fly-sheet"  agitation  led  to  a  clear 
"  definition  of  Quarterly  Meetings,"  aa  to  their  com- 
position, "  regulations  concerning  memorials  to  the 
conference,"  and  the  mode  of  "  trial  of  a  trustee." 
This  is  found  in  the  minutes  of  1852. 

While  the  Methodist  Church  in  England  was  passing 
throuiih  this  great  ordeal,  and  their  numbers  were  de- 
creased  by  nearly  one  hundred  thousand  members,  the 
malcontents  tried  to  "  stop  the  supplies,"  and  in  par- 
ticular the  missionary  "  supplies ; "  yet,  God  blessed 
and  pn)spered  the  missionary  work  to  an  extent  that 
excited  the  astonishment  and  gratitude  of  the  whole 
connection.  The  income  of  the  society  for  1852  was 
£102,730  19«.  9c?.;  the  number  of  missionaries,  476; 
and  our  missionary  membership,  108,078. 

This  same  year  a  second  affiliated  conference  wad 
formed.  It  was  the  French  Conference.  It  was  in- 
deed small ;  its  circuits  were  only  nine  in  number  ;  its 
ministers,  nineteen ;  and  its  members,  eight  hundred 
and  nineteen.  Our  membership  in  Newfoundland 
was  now  two  thousand  four  hundred  and  forty- 
two. 

The  year  1855  will  be  noticed  by  Wesleyan  histori- 
ans in  future  time  as  the  year  when  two  affiliated  con- 
ferences were  organized :  — 

I.   The  Australasian  Wesleyan  Methodist  Con- 
ference. 

The  first  session  of  this  conference  was  held  in  Sid- 


CONFERENCES. 


411 


5TH0DIST   CON- 


as  held  in  Sid- 


ney ;  it  commenced  on  tl.e  18th  of  January,  under 
the  presidency  of  tlie  Rev.  Willia.n  Hinnington  Boyce. 
it  began  under  aus],icious  circumstances.  It  had  one 
Jmndred  and  sixteen  ministers,  besides  a  number  of 
native  assistant  missionaries,  nearly  eight  hundred  chaiv- 
els  and  other  preacliing  places,  nineteen  thousand  eicrht 
hundred  and  ninety-seven  church  members,  with  one 
.^thousand  nine  hundred  and  fifty-six  on  trial. 

II.  The  Conference  of  the  Wesleyan  Methodist 
Connection,  or  Church  of  Eastern  British 
America. 

« 

„  The  first  ..  .3sion  of  tl.is  conference  commenced  in 
Halifax  Nova  Scotia,  July  17,  1855,  under  the  presi- 
dency of  the  Rev.  John  Beecham,  D.  D.  Co-Delegate, 
Rev.  Matthew  Riehey,  D.  D.   Secretary,  Rev.  William 

1  ample. 

This  conference  embraces  the  Provinces  of  Nova 
fecotia.  New  Brunswick,  Prince  Edward  Island,  New- 
foundland, and  Bermuda.  Our  statistics  will  be  un- 
derstood  by  the  following  table :  — 


Tabular  view  of  the  Wesleyan  Church  of  E.  D.  A.,  at  its  first  conferer.ce. 


The  Newfoundland  membership  was  two  thousand 
five  hundred  and  eighty-six ;  and  of  Jie  sixteen  day 
school.^  under  the  care  of  the  conference,  fifteen  of 


I 


'  If, 


412 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSION  ARIES. 


them,  containing  nine  Inindrcd  and  twenty-two  scliol- 
ars,  were  in  Newfoundland. 

Tlie  formation  of  the  districts  in  the  lower  prov- 
inces into  a  distinct  and  independent  conference,  liad 
been  expected  for  several  years ;  and  by  most  of  the 
ministers  was  much  desired,  as  in  their  judgment  it 
woukl  tend  to  consohdate  and  extend  the  work  among 
our  widely  scattered  and  rapidly  increasing  population. 

Perhaps  there  was  not  a  man  in  the  British  confer- 
ence more  fit  to  arrange,  and  carry  out  this  important 
measure,  than  the  now  sainted  John  Beecham,  who 
presided  upon  that  occasion.  Thoroughly  acquainted 
with  all  the  minutiae  of  Methodism,  he  could  promptly 
reply  to  every  inquiry ;  and  while  with  us  his  labors 
were  untiring,  and  in  his  official  position  he  evinced 
the  wisdom  of  the  sage,  the  firmness  of  the  judge,  the 
accuracy  of  the  mathematician,  the  urbanity  of  the 
gentleman,  and,  above  all,  the  kindness  of  a  Christian 
brother.  But  his  work  was  almost  done ;  he  reached 
Enffland  a  little  before  the  close  of  conference,  and 
early  in  the  ensuing  spring  he  was  called  to  his  reward. 
From  the  death-roll  of  the  British  Conference  we 
make  the  following  extract :  — 

"John  Beecham,  D.  D.,  was  born  at  Bartholdy-le-Beck, 
Lincolnshire,  in  1787,  and  entered  the  ministry  in  1815.  In 
early  lite  he  accjuired  a  good  store  of  theological  knowledge,  and 
of  useful  and  diversified  information,  and  he  was  habitually  a 
diligent  and  humble  student  of  the  sacred  oracles ;  so  that,  both  by 
public  and  private  labors,  he  fed  the  people  of  his  charge  '  with 
knowledge  and  understanding.'  The  purity  of  his  character, 
together  with  his  assiduous  and  punctual  discharge  of  every  duty, 
and  fidelity  to  every  obligation,  gave  weight  to  his  utterances,  and 
won  the  confidence  and  respect  of  all  who  were  actiuainted  with 
him ;  while  the  habitual  kindness  of  his  heart  endeared  him  to  the 
and  the  afflicted,  to  whom,  as  a  pastor,  he  was  constantly 


)oor 


pastor, 


STATIONS. 


418 


ttl"  '    '  ' '"  ^''  "^^""*«^'  '"^^  '^^  ^»>"  ^'-  ••••^'  --e- 

fi  u    V      ".  "I'T"""'^'  """^"^-     *'"••  ^^'•^  '""ff  «»"-«  «»•  twenty, 
four  yearj,.  ho  labored  incessantly  anu  devoutly  ;  .    ...a  omoe  to 

,>.-on.ote  the  work  of  (iod  ;  and  h.  had  the  gratiLtion  of  w  t  iT- 
n^^  .t.s  gradual  advancen.ent  to  a  state  of  prosperity  far  beyond 
h.s  ant.c,.at.ons.     In  the  latter  years  of  his  life,  he  "a    a' u! 
occup.ed  .n  the  constituting  of  afhl! :,ted  conferences,  with  a  view 
vo    r.  ZTl  :"'  '''  ""•''  ^*'  ^^"  '"  '''"--t'parts  of  Z 

France,   Australasia,    and    Canada,    he    undertook   to    visit   the 
Eastern  I  rovnu-es  of  British  An.erica,  and.  having  presi.led  over 
a  new  oc,..ference  held  in  Nova  Scotia,  returned  to  Lee.ls.  just 
before  the  close  of  the  last  British  Conference.     His  account  of 
that  rn..ss,on  displayed  a  peculiar  aptitude  for  such  an  undertaking, 
and  led  many  who  heard  it  once  more  to  glorify  God  in  hi.n. 
II.S  last  days  were  eminently  peaceful.     Finding  his  health  fail, 
he  sought  to  recruit  it  by  a  month's  quiet  at  the  sea-side;  hul 
having  taken  cold  there,  he  returned  home  much  worse,  and  in  six 
days  after  his  return  passed  to  an  eternal  rest.    No  vain  regrets 
or  harassing  anxieties  disturbed  his  last  hours.     All  was  quietness 
and  assurance.    '  Do  you  know  that  you  are  dying  sir  ? '  said  one 
to  lum  a  few  moments  before  he  passed  away.     'No.'  said  he, 
'but  all  IS  well.'     To  another  he  said,  •  There  are  the  shinin^ 
ones.     They  are  waiting  for  me.     1  shall  soon  be  with  them! 
There  is  a  sharp,  thorny  bridge  to  pass,  but  it  will  soon  be  over.' 
He  died  on  the  22d  of  April,  1856,  in  the  sixty-ninth  ^ear  of  his 


age 


The  stations  for  the  Newfoundland  District,  at  the 
first  conference,  were  as  follows : 

St.  Johns  -  Thomas  Angwin,  Samuel  W.  Sprague. 
Harbok  Grace  — one  to  be  sent. 
Carsonear  _  William  E.  Shenston. 
Brigus  — John  E.  Phinney. 
Port  de  Grave  — Adam  Nightingale. 
BLACKHEAn  — John  S.  Addy. 
Island  Cove  —  One  to  be  sent. 
Perlican  —  One  to  be  sent. 
Hants'  Harbok  —  Paul  Prestwood. 
35  * 


414         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND  ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

Trinity  —  Vacant. 

Bona  VISTA  —  Thomas  Smith. 

Gkeen  Bay  —  Under  the  care  of  the  chairman. 

Burin  —  Elias  Brettle. 

Grand  B/  :k  —  John  S.  Peach. 

Thomas  Angwin,  Chairman  of  the  District 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 


ROBERT  A.  CHESLEY-NEW  CHAPEL  IN  ST.  JOHNS  —  GREEN  BAY  CIR- 
CUIT—MISSIONS OP  CONFERENCE —  MR.  COMBENS  MISSION  TO 
LABRADOR  — MR.  FOX  — MR.  GOODISON  —  PRESIDENT  BOYCE — 
THOMAS  GAETZ-W.  S.  SHENSTONE —JUBILEE  OF  THE  WESLEYAN 
MISSIONARY  SOCIETY  — JUBILEE  MOVEMENT  IN  E.  B.  A.  CONFER- 
ENCE—JUBILEE MEETING  IN  ST.  JOHNS,  NEWFOUNDLAND  —  PRES- 
IDENT THORNTON  —  REV.  ROBINSON  SCOTT— STATIONS  FOR  1864  — 
MEMBERS   IN  NEWFOUNDLAND  —  CONCLUSION. 

THE  total  population,  within  the  bounds  of  the 
"  Eastern  British  American  Conference,"  is  com- 
puted at  seven  hundred  and  fifty  thousand  souls  ;  about 
one-tenth  of  whom  are  under  the  direct  teaching  and 
influence  of  the  Wesleyan  ministry.  During  the 
first  year  of  our  conference  the  missionary  com- 
mittee showed  great  kindness  by  sending  out  two 
additional  missionaries  to  Newfoundland.  These  were 
Charles  Comben  and  James  Dove.  This  same  year, 
Robert  A.  Chesley  was  appointed  to  St.  Johns ;  but 
he  was  in  his  new  station  little  more  than  three  months, 
before  he  was  called  to  his  reward.  The  death-roll  of 
conference  for  1857,  contains  the  following  obituary- 
notice  :  — 

"  Robert  AinsHe  Chesley  was  born  at  Granville,  Nova  Scotia, 
in  the  year  1816,  and  died  at  St.  Johns,  Newfoundland,  on 
Thursday,  November  27, 1856,  in  the  fortieth  year  of  his  age,  and 
the  fourteenth  of  his  ministry.  At  the  age  of  twenty-three,  he 
was  brought  to  an  experimental  knowledfre  of  the  truth  and 
became  *  a  new  creature  in  Christ  Jesus.'    From  the  time  of  his 

(41u) 


II 


416         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 


conversion  fte  felt  an  ardent  love  for  souls,  and  sought  to  render 
liinisc'lf  useful  and  to  glorify  God  by  assisting  to  hold  prayer- 
meetings,  and  afterwards  exercised  his  talents  as  a  local  preacher. 
Believing  he  had  a  divine  call  to  the  sacred  office  of  the  ministry, 
he  offered  himself  for  the  great  work  with  much  fear  and  trem- 
bling; and  being  approved  and  received,  entered  upon  the  duties 
of  the  Christian  ministry  in  the  year  1843.  As  a  Christian,  he 
was  eminently  devoted  and  exemplary,  and  sought  to  adorn  the 
doctrine  of  God  his  Saviour  in  all  things.  He  was  an  Israelite 
indeed,  in  whom  there  was  no  guile.  lie  walked  with  God,  and 
his  path  shone  brighter  and  brighter  unto  the  perfect  day.  In  the 
discharge  of  his  sacred  functions,  he  was  faithful,  zealous,  and  un- 
wearied. Whatsoever  his  hand  found  to  do,  he  did  it  with  his 
might  As  a  preacher  of  the  gospel,  he  afiectionately,  clearly, 
and  successfully  propounded  its  saving  truths,  giving  prominence 
in  his  public  ministrations  to  the  all-important  doctrine  of  holiness 
and  entire  consecration  to  Christ.  His  labors  were  abundantly 
owned  and  blessed.  Many  were  the  seals  to  his  ministry  in  the 
various  circuits  upon  which  he  labored  as  an  ambassador  for 
Christ.  To  pastoral  visitation  he  paid  strict  and  constant  atten- 
tion, and  his  amiability,  benevolence,  sympathy,  and  solicitude  for 
the  good  of  others,  endeared  him  to  the  flocks  over  which  he 
watched  with  pastoral  care.  At  the  last  conference  he  was 
appointed  to  the  superintendency  of  the  St.  Johns'  circuit.  He 
went  to  his  new  sphere  of  labor  with  enlarged  expectations,  and 
entered  upon  his  duties  with  assiduity  and  earnestness.  During 
his  brief  sojourn  in  St.  Johns,  he  gained  the  afi'ections  of  all  with 
whom  he  became  acquainted,  and  was  rendered  very  useful  in 
his  work  of  faith  and  labor  of  love.  The  illness  which  terminated 
in  his  death  was  caused  by  exposure  and  excessive  toil  during 
the  prosecution  of  his  sacred  duties.  The  disease,  which  so 
speedily  resulted  in  his  unexpected  and  lamented  decease,  was  of 
that  nature  which  prevented  him  from  conversing  much  upon 
divine  subjects;  but  his  mind  was  kept  in  peace,  and  with 
resignation  he  was  enabled  to  commit  the  keeping  of  his  body  and 
soul  to  God,  knowing  in  whom  he  had  believed.  Those  holy 
truths  which  he  had  so  long  proclaimed  were  his  comfort  and  sup- 
port during  his  last  hours.  Afler  only  seven  days'  sickness  he  de- 
parted this  life  in  possession  of  a  sure  and  certain  hope  of 
immortal  blessedness.     Great,  indeed,  is  the  loss  of  the  church  of 


NEW    CHAPEL   IN    ST.    JOHNS. 


417 


Christ  and  his  afflicted  family  and  friends,  by  the  sudden  and 
mysterious  removal  of  one  so  talented  and  eminently  qualified  for 
extensive  usefulness.     But  their  loss  is  his  eternal  gain." 

In  the  summer  of  1857,  James  A.  Duke  was  sent 
out  by  the  committee  as  a  missionary  for  the  shores 
of  Labrador,  and  a  free  passage  was  given  him 
from  England  to  St.  Johns,  in  a  vessel  belonging  to 
the  Hon.  Mr.  Rogerson.  Mr.  Duke,  however,  did 
not  arrive  in  time  to  proceed  to  Labrador  that  sum- 
mer, in  consequence  of  which,  he  was  stationed  in 
Carbonear,  under  the  superintendency  of  Christopher 
Lockhart. 

In  the  month  of  January,  1858,  the  new  chapel  in 
St.  Johns  was  opened,  and  on  the  sixth  of  that 
month,   Henry  Daniel,  the  chairman  of  the  district, 

wrote  to  the   committee   in  which   he   says ; "At 

present  nearly  all  the  sittings  are  engaged.  Our 
congregations  are  large  and  the  spiritual  state  of  our 
society  is  encouraging.  We  need  your  sympathy  and 
prayers.  Popery  has  an  awful  grasp  on  this  com- 
munity, and  Puseyism,  a  second  edition  of  it,  spreads  a 
deadly  blight  over  the  largest  portion.  Methodism 
has  a  great  mission  to  this  island.  The  Lord  make  us 
faithful  and  zealous."  An  interesting  account  of  the 
Green  Bay  Circuit  was  given  at  this  time  by  Mr. 
Preslwood,  from  which  we  make  the  following  ex- 
tract :  — 

"  This  circuit  is  extensive  and  important;  nearly  two  thousand 
people,  according  to  the  census  taken  this  year,  belong  to  us  either 
as  members  or  hearers;  they  are  scattered  almost  all  round  the 
shores  of  this  large  bay,  and  many  more  would  gladly  attend  our 
ministry  had  they  the  privilege.  Of  these  some  do  not  heai 
a  sermon  preached  more  than  once  or  twice  a  year.  They  are 
anxious  to  obtain  another  preacher  in  this  circuit,  and  intend  to 
apply  for  one.    For  some  time  past  a  gracious  revival  of  religion 


418 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


I 

IW  i'  I  ^ 


baa  been  experienced  in  different  parts  of  the  circuit,  especially 
during  the  last  winter.  At  Twillingate,  last  spring,  many  were 
converted  to  God,  and,  we  are  thankful  to  say,  hold  fast  tho 
profession  of  their  faith,  and  prove  the  reality  of  their  conversion 
by  a  consistent  walk  and  conduct.  The  state  of  the  society  is  en- 
couraging; the  members  are  sincere,  and  anxious  for  the  salvation 
of  their  souls.  Most  heartily  do  they  thank  God  for  the  gospel, 
and  for  the  appointment  of  the  Wesleyan  missionaries,  whom  they 
term  '  men  after  God's  own  heart.' " 


it:         ' 


I!;  mv4' 


In  the  year  1859,  the  first  missions  of  conference  of 
Eastern  British  America  are  mentioned  in  the  minutes. 
They  were  three  in  number,  and  all  stood  connected 
with  the  Newfoundland  District.     They  stand  thus  :  — 

MISSIONS    OF    CONFERENCE. 

Labrador  —  Supplied  during  the  summer  months  by  Charles 

Comben. 
Petites  AND  Western  Shore  — To  be  supplied  by  the 

Chairman. 
Exploits  and  Little  Bay  Islands  —  James  A.  Duke. 

The  niinisters  of  the  conference  were  so  impressed 
with  the  importance  of  the  Labrador  Mission,  that  they 
unanimously  passed  the  following  resolution  :  — 

MISSION    TO    LABRADOR. 

"  Resolved,  That  the  conference  recognizes  its  obligation  to  sus- 
tain the  mission  to  Labrador  to  the  utmost  extent  of  its  ability, 
and  the  brethren  are  directed  that  when  the  collection  for  the 
'  Home  Mission  and  Contingent  Fund '  is  taken  up,  the  claims  of 
this  mission  be  urged  upon  the  attention  of  our  friends,  and  that 
they  be  requested  to  contribute  hberally  to  the  fund,  in  order 
that  this  important  mission  may  be  well  sustained." 

Mr.  Comben  went  to  Labrador  in  June,  and  an- 
ch  red  in  Red  Bay  on  the  30th  of  the  month.  Here  he 
found  eighty  persons  resident,  and  about  forty  more  who 
were  there  during  the  summer.  Most  of  these  were  ¥/e3- 


MR.    COMBEN. 


419 


lonths  by  Charles 


leyans   from    Newfoundland.      These   people  brought 
their  religion  with  them,  and  in  consequence  held  relig- 
ious services  as  prayer-meetings  and  class-meetings,  and 
also  held  a  Sabbath  school.     He  met  a  class  of  thirteen 
persons,  six  of  whom  were  from  Carbonear.     Thirty 
miles   from   Red   Bay  are   Henly  Harbor   and  Cha- 
teaux.   In  the  former  place  he  found  some  friends  resi- 
dent, and  about  eighty  persons  who  were  there  for  the 
summer ;  in  the  latter  about  fifty  Wesleyan  residents, 
and  near  a  hundred  summer  visitors,  all  from    New- 
foundland, besides  a   number   of  persons   from   Nova 
Scotia.     A    class-meeting  was   regularly  held   in   one 
of  these  places,  and  pra}%Br-meetings  were  held  in  both. 
He  next  visited  Cape  Charles  Harbor,  in  the  52d  de- 
gree of  north  latitude.     There  he  found  one  hundred 
and  forty  Wesleyans   from    Newfoundland,  besides    a 
number  of  Episcopalians,  and  hkewise  a   number  of 
persons  from  Nova  Scotia.    Here  he  had  a  congregation 
of  two  hundred  persons.     He  visited  about  twelve  or 
fourteen  harbors,  in  most  of  which  he  found  some  Wes- 
leyans, and  in  all  he  was  received  with  great  kindness ; 
and   the  universal  wish  was,  that  as  business  called 
them  to  those  shores,  they  would  not  be  left  as  sheep 
without  a  shepherd,  but  that  our  ministers  would  year- 
ly visit  them  in  their  distant  wanderings,  and  preach  to 
them  the  words  of  life  and  salvation. 
'   The  brethren  of  the  Newfoundland  district  deserve 
all  honor  for  carrying  out  so  fully  the  resolution  of  the 
conference  in  reference  to  the  Labrador  Mission  ;  and 
the  missionary  committee  in  London  were  so  well  sat- 
isfied with  the  measure,  that  they  published  the  journal 
of  Mr.  Comben's  visit  in  extemo  in  their  large  report 
for  the  year  1860.  . 

In  the  summer  of  1860,  the  Rev.  Thomas  Fox  vis- 


420         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 

ited  Labrador.  He  arrived  at  Cape  Cliarles  Harbor 
on  the  17th  of  June,  and  laid  oat,  as  his  missionary 
tour,  an  extent  of  coast  of  from  two  hundred  to  two 
hundred  and  fifty  miles,  for  all  that  distance  is  consid- 
ered as  within  the  bounds  of  the  mission.  He  visited 
twenty-four  harbors  and  coves,  and  preached  to  congre- 
gations composed  of  Newfoundlanders,  Nova  Scotians, 
Englishmen,  Americans,  and  Indians,  including  both 
the   Esquimaux   and    Mountaineers. 

The  next  year  Mr.  Fox  went  again  to  Labrador, 
and  at  Cape  Charles  he  says  :  "  Here  I  met  with  a  wel- 
come at  the  house  of  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Hayward  Taylor 
of  Carbonear.  Stayed  nearly  a  week,  held  services 
and  visited  the  people."  It  was  not  surprising  that 
Mr.  Fox  should  be  received  with  a  welcome  by  Mr. 
Taylor  and  his  kind  lady,  for  the  house  of  Mr.  Taylor, 
of  Carbonear,  has  been  a  home  for  Wesleyan  ministers 
for  more  than  half  a  century.  During  this  mission 
tour,  Mr.  Fox  sailed  over  four  hundred  miles  along 
the  coast,  visited  between  twenty  and  thirty  harbors, 
preached  about  sixty  times,  held  a  number  of  prayer- 
meetings  and  class-meetings,  read  the  Scriptures  and 
prayed  from  house  to  house,  baptized  a  number  of 
children,  and  called  the  attention  of  the  people  to  the 
erection  of  six  chapels.  He  was  everywhere  received 
with  kindness,  heard  with  attention,  and  his  visits  were 
made  a  blessing  to  the  people. 

The  Labrador  mission  is  a  very  important  one,  and 
it  is  to  be  desired  that  one  or  more  ministers  will  soon 
be  sent  to  reside  on  the  coast,  particularly  as  we  have 
between  forty  and  fifty  Wesleyan  families  already 
resident  there. 


MR.    GOODISOn's    mission. 

In  1862,  John  Goodison  was  sent   to    Labrador  by 


NAR1E3. 

harles  Harbor 
Ills  missionary 
indred  to  two 
iiice  is  consid- 
n.  He  visited 
hed  to  congre- 
*fova  Scotians, 
including  both 

to  Labrador, 
net  with  a  wel- 
yward  Taylor 

held  services 
lurprising  that 
Icome  by  Mr. 
of  Mr.  Taylor, 
eyan  ministers 
;  this  mission 
id  miles  along 
hirty  harbors, 
her  of  prayer- 
Scriptures  and 

a  number  of 

people  to  the 
here  received 
his  visits  were 

rtant  one,  and 
sters  will  soon 
ly  as  we  have 
nllies   already 


WILLIAM    B.    BOYCE. 


421 


Labrador  by 


the  brethren  of  the  Newfoundland  District.     He  sailed 

in   the   government   cutter  Duck.     Owing  to  rou^h 

weather,  the  great  quantity  of  field-ice,  and  the  nu^- 

ero«,  .cebergs    he  did  not  reach  Labrador   until   the 

5  h  of  Jul;..     He  coasted  in  a  whale-boat,  and  during 

the    summer  s.ded  over  three  hundred  miles,  visited 
some   h     a,„d,   „f  f^,„.,.^^   .^  ^,^^   ^.^^^^^^ 

preached  many  t.mes,  got  several  Sabbath  schools  in 
operafon  and  distributed  some  thousands  of  books  and 

.u2  ^'''''^  .^^«"*™a"y  souls  converted  to  God,  some  few  back- 
shders  reclamed  and  believers  in  Christ  filled  ;ith  div^e  love 
One  chapel  has  been  erected,  the  frames  of  two  others  are  read v* 

The  Labrador  Mission  continues  to  engacre  the  at- 

rorenl'"^  '^^''^™  °^  NewfoundlandVnd  ot-t^l 

In  1861,  the  conference  of  Eastern  British  America 
was  honored  m  having,  as  its  president,  the  Rev.  Wil- 

Methodist  Missionary  Society. 

Before   the   conference,   Mr.   Boyce   visited   Nova 
Seotia,   Prmce    Edward    Island,    Cape   Breton,   and 

r!  id       "f  ,,    °'   '''   '^^'   -"^"''0-''   '^'-<1   he 
reported  as  follows  : 

mated.    Here  we  do  battk  with  popery  i„  the  verylfeway 

hat^rrH-?-  f  '^  "'*""  '"'  "  ''  '  -"-k-We  fact 
that  „>   the  districts  where   our  first  missiowries  labored    the 
people  remain  Protectant;  elsewhere  they  are  mainly  Papit 
«..<!  unless  we  follow  the  population  the  new  s..Xt„,^!'^.    i 
become  popish  al»,_a  merely  nominal  P,.testa„tism  ■bL"o" 


!« 


/ 


422 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSIONAllIEa. 


defence  against  the  Man  of  Sin.  The  population*  of  Newfound- 
land, in  18r)7,  was  119,304;  of  which  20,144  are  returned  as 
Methodists,  being  little  more  than  one-sixth  of  the  whole,  —  a  larger 
proportion  I  think,  than  is  found  in  any  other  mission-field  ex- 
cept, perhaps,  some  of  the  West  Indian  colonics.  The  Romanists 
are  55,809;  but  the  Protestants  of  the  several  denominations, 
Episcopal,  Methodist,  Presbyterian,  and  others  outnumber  them 
by  about  10,000.  The  Romanism  of  the  island  is  of  the  most 
virulent  sort,  and  is  felt,  even  by  those  who  do  not  look  at  the 
question  religiously,  to  be  a  social  and  political  evil  of  no  com- 
mon magnitude.  Vexed  questions  of  local  politics  cannot  alto- 
gether be  avoided,  as,  where  popish  intolerance  is  rampant,  it 
becomes  the  duty  even  of  Christians  to  resist  it  by  every  con- 
stitutional means.  I  arrived  in  Newfoundland  in  the  midst  of 
a  great  reactionary  movement  against  popish  political  influence, 
■which  is  going  on  in  all  our  American  colonies,  and  found  our 
people  taking  a  warm  part  on  the  Protestant  side.  There  is 
some  danger  in  this,  yet  how  can  it  be  avoided?  One  might  as 
well  blame  the  rebuilders  of  Jerusalem  for  going  armed  to  their 
sacred  and  patriotic  work. 

"  On  the  Labrador  Mission,  I  will  merely  remark,  that  it  is  grate- 
fully recognized  as  a  boon  to  hundreds  of  families  in  New- 
foundland, whose  husbands,  brothers,  or  fathers  are  cared  for  by 
it,  when  far  distant  from  home,  and  exposed  to  great  dangers 
and  temptations.  It  is  an  enterprise  of  the  purest  mercy  and 
love."" 

This  conference  (1861)  had  to  record  the  death  of 
another  Newfoundland  missionary,  Mr.  Thomas  Gaetz, 
a  young  man  of  piety  and  promise.  The  record  reads 
thus :  — 

"Thomas  Gaetz  was  born  at  Musquodobit  Harbor,  Nova 
Scot! a,  on  the  fifth  of  October,  1831.  He  was  thoughtful  and 
studious  when  a  child,  and  at  twelve  years  was  soundly  con- 
verted to  God.     Very  soon  after  his  conversion  he  felt  a  strong 


III. 


1  This  was  exclusive  of  the  British  population  on  the  French  shore,  where 
there  are  resident  3,334  British  subjects,  making  the  total  British  pop- 
ulation, 122,638.     See  the  table  of  population,  p.  96. 

"Report  of  Methodist  Missionary  fcjoclety,  1862,  p.  180. 


W.    S.    8HEN3TONE. 


428 


calle,    ,„  („«,  t„  ,,„..„,,  ,.,„,  ,„„,,.,|,  ^„  „„,  ^^  ._;  »• 

to  .h.  work  0.    (iod,   ,„,  bccamo  a  ca,Hli,la,u  (or  ,l„ „i,„.^ 

among  „,  ,„  „,„  y,,,  j^,,  ,  ,.  ,,„  „,  .^,,,  ,.  ,_^^  ,^^^  ,^^_^  ,  ^ 

:;;'N:;n:r '"  ^-^^  '*^-""'  ''^'■-  '^^-''  '»'-^. 

"In  ,l,„  Grand  Bank  Cirnn,  l,i.  labor,  wore  Rrcatly  o»„«l  of 

God.     II„  name  «,  and  long  will  b„,  a  honsehold  word.    h1 

never  .pared   l,i„,.,|f,  but  often   labored   beyond   hi.,  .ttJh 

nd,  wa,  h«  anxiety  to  do  go™l.     He  was' appointed  by  «e' 

ast  eonference  to  the  Old  I'erlican  Cireuit.     1  nmediatefv  Z 

ardor,  and  al  hongh  with  thi»  people  so  short  a  time,  yet  he  wa, 
endeared  to  thejn,  greatly  beloved  by  them,  and  hi,  death  Z 
deeply  lamented.      When   told  he  couhl  not  recover  wUhout 

3k\  rV„  ',  '""•  ™'^'  '""•^'  'J"*"'  i»  -y  love!'  after 
wh.ch  he  fell  a,kepin  Christ  „„  the  24th  of  OeLber,  ,860,  n 
the  29th  year  o(  h,s  age,  and  the  10th  year  of  hi,  ministry." 

The  death-roll  of  our  conference  for  1862  records 
another  laborer  in  Newfoundland,  -  Mr.  William  Sam- 
uel Shenstone,  son  of  the  Rev.  W.  E.  Shenstone,  who 
had  been  a  travelling  minister  for  nearly  forty  yean,. 
Both   father  and   son  were   travelling  in   Newfound- 
lan<l.      1  he  father   was  stationed  at  Port  de  Grave 
and  the  son  at  Hants'  Harbor.    Mr.  Shenstone,  Jun  ' 
was  a  P.OUS,  zealous,  prayerful  young  man,  and  there 
was  much  probability  that  he  would  be  very  useful  as 
a  Christian  minister.     But  he  was  called  away  to  a 
better  land.  '  ,r        •>■ 

When  the  question  was  asked  "  What  ministers  have 
died- since   the   last  conference?"   four  names  were 

feld"-  _        '^'"  "'"'  ^''  ^''™''°"^-     The  minute 
"William  Samuel  Shenstone,  who  was  born  at  Three  Rivers, 


424 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND    ITS    MISSION  ARIES. 


i^?:i 


Canada  East,  in  the  year  1838.  He  feared  the  Lord  from  his 
youth.  Amiability  of  disposition,  dutifuliuiss  to  his  parents,  frater- 
nal affection,  intense  love  of  study,  and  apt'iess  to  accumulate 
mental  stores,  were  marked  elements  in  his  character.  At  the 
age  of  sixteen,  he  was  convinced  of  the  need  of  divine  forgive- 
ness, and  a  change  of  heart,  and  sought,  by  humble  confession  of 
sin  and  trust  in  the  atonement  of  Christ,  the  great  salvation ;  and 
in  hun  was  fulfilled  the  promise,  then  shall  they  find  me,  '  when 
they  search  for  me  with  their  whole  heart.' 

"  He  obtained  peace  through  believing.     At  the  conference  of 
1858,  he  was  accepted  as  a  candidate  for  our  ministryj  and  was 
appointed  to  the  Bonavista  Circuit,  where  he  labored  with  groat 
acceptance  and  success.     He  was  subseriuently  ap[)oinfcd  to  t'  o 
Carbonear  Circuit,  where  his  Divine  Master  blessed  him,  and  made 
him  a  blessing.     He  received  such  a  baptism  of  the  Holy  Spirit, 
as  to  lead  him  to  a  closer  walk  with  God.      At  the  conference  of 
1861,  he  was  appointed  to  the  Hants'  Harbor  Circuit,  where  he 
entered  upon  his  labors  with  much  prayer,  a  deep  sense  of  re- 
sponsibiUty,  and  a  holy  resolution  to  consecrate  his  energies  to  the 
great  work  of  seeking  the  salvation  of  souls,  and  the  edification  of 
the  church.     But  he   had   only  labored  about  a  week  when  he 
was  stricken  down  by  affliction  which  baffled  medical  skill ;  and, 
after  about  three  weeks  of  severe  suffering,  during  wliich  his  trust 
in  Christ  was  firm  aud  unshaken,   God  took  him  to    an  early 
rest  in  heaven.     His  last  words  were  '  The  best  of  it  is  God  is 
with  us.'     He  died  in  peace,  August  31st,  1861,  in  the  25th  year 
of  bis  age,  and  the  fourth  of  his  ministry." 

The  year  1863  was  a  time  of  great  rejoicing  to 
the  whole  Wesleyan  connection.  It  was  the  jubilee 
of  the  Wesleyan  Missionary  Society.  That  society,  as 
we  have  seen,  was  formed  in  1813  ;  and,  during  these 
fifty  years  of  its  existence,  God  has  prospered  it  to 
an  extent  that  was  never  anticipated  by  its  most  san- 
guine friends.  In  1813,  our  missionary  sphere  was 
limited:  we  had  twenty-six  missionaries  in  the  West 
Indies,  one  in  Bermuda,  thirteen  in  Nova  Scotia 
and  New  Brunswick,  and  three  in  Newfoundland; 
making  a  total  of  forty-three  missionaries.     Our  mis- 


THE   JUDTI.EE. 


425 


sionary  membership  was  then  only  17,025.     In  18G3 
our  ministers  and  assistant  missionaries  numhered  889' 
and  onr  m.snK.„ary  membership  was  142,789,  besides 
lo,804  on  trial. 

a/"  ^!!f'  '''''  '''"'^  ""^  missionaries  in  France,  Italy, 
Africa,  Cliina,  Australasia,  Polynesia  or  Canada  ;  nor 
had  we  a  printing-pre.s  out  of  the  United  Kin^rdorn. 
iiut  m  186.3,  we  had  ministers  in  all  the  above  places 
with  eight  printincr.presses,  four  affiliated  conferences 
aiid  140,457  children  in  our  different  Sabbath  schools! 
The  annual  income  for  missionary  purposes,  down  to 
1»1J,  was   seldom   much  more  than  £4000.  but  the 
balance  sheet  of  the  society,  for  1863,  shows  an  in- 
come  of  X  141,638  lOs.  Sd. 

In  gratitude  for  this  great  success,  the  friends  of 
missions  in  England  determined  to  hold  a  jubilee,  and 
by  an  extra  exertion,  to  raise  a  fund  to  be  called  the  Ju- 
bilee Fund ;  the  objc  ot  being  to  assist  the  general 
missionai^^  fund,  by  providing  a  college  for  training 
missionary  candidates ;  to  provide  for  disabled  mist 
sionaries,  and  for  widows  and  orphans  of  deceased 
missionaries ;  also  to  assist  the  work  in  France,  Italy, 
India,  China,  and  in  various  ways  to  promote  the  ex- 
tension of  missionary  operations,  and  the  conversion 
of  the  world  from  sin  to  God. 

The  first  blast  of  the  jubilee-trumpet  was  heard  in 
Leeds,  where,  fifty  years  before,  the  missionary  soci- 
ety had  been  formed.  But  oh,  the  ravages  of  death  I  but 
few  were  present  at  the  jubilee  that  witnessed  the  forma- 
tion of  the  society.  Those  pious  and  zealous  ministers, 
George  Morley  and  James  Buckley,  have  long  gone 
to  their  reward  ;  the  erudite  Richard  Watson  and 
the  profoundly  eloquent  Jabez  Bunting  are  now  with 
the  "  hymning   multitude,"  receiving   the   reward  of 

36  * 


420 


NKWFOUNin.AND    AND    ITS   MISSIONAKIKH. 


! 


'mm 


their  faithful  hihors  while  on  earth.  Thomas  Thomp- 
8on,  the  chairman  and  Mothodist  local  prcaclscr,  who 
was  neitlicr  afraid  nor  aslianied  to  advocate  the  cause 
of  ri;'hteousnes8  and  reli^^ion  before  tlie  Britisli  senate, 
lias  realized  the  promise,  "  Whosoever,  therefore,  shall 
confess  me  l)efore  men,  him  will  1  confess  also  be- 
fore my  Father  which  is  in  heaven."  But  we  must 
not  recJ'ct,  for  he  who  took  those  men  from  the  church 
miilitant  is  still  with  us,  and  we  have  received  the 
fulfilment  of  that  assurance,  which  he  gave  by  the 
mouth  of  his  servant  David,  "  Instead  of  tliy  fathers, 
shall  be  thy  children,  whom  thou  mayest  make  princes 
in  all  the  earth."  The  missionary  spirit  of  1813  luia 
fallen  on  the  church,  in  1803,  to  an  extent  that  waS 
never  before  seen  ;  the  benefit  of  which  unknown  na- 
tions shall  realize,  and  by  which  unborn  generations 
shall  be  blessed.  The  public  jubilee  meeting  was 
preceded  by  numerous  religious  exercises,  as  special 
sermons,  special  prayer-meetings,  and  special  love- 
feasts,  besides  the  many  petitions  that  ascended  to  the 
throne  of  grace  from  the  closet,  and  from  the  family 
altar  for  success  in  the  enterprise.  Prayer  was  heard, 
and  a  spirit  of  liberality  was  evinced  by  the  Wesle^^an 
church  that  has  surprised  the  whole  Christian  world. 
The  money  subscribed  in  one  week  was  .£35,000, 

The  jubilee  movement  thus  inaugurated  at  Leeds, 
in  the  month  of  October,  was  speedily  followed  by 
corresponding  action  in  every  district  and  in  every 
circuit  throughout  the  United  Kingdom  ;  it  extended  to 
all  the  affiliated  conferences,  and  to  all  the  mission- 
stations  ;  in  fact,  a  similar  spirit  to  that  which  in- 
fluenced the  meeting  in  Loeds  seems  to  have  perme- 
ated every  heart  through  the  entire  range  of  British 
Methodism.     The  financial  result  is  not  vet  known. 


UtIKH. 

mas  '^rii()in|)- 
rt'iu'lier,  who 
ate  the  cause 
ritisli  senate, 
leretbre,  sluill 
fes.s  also  be- 
15 lit  we  must 
n  the  cliurch 
received  tlie 
gave  by  the 
f  tliy  fatliers, 
make  princes 
of  1813  hius 
tent  tliat  waS 
mknown  na- 
i  generations 
meeting  was 
s,  as  special 
special  love- 
iended  to  the 
n  the  family 
ir  was  heard, 
he  Wesleyan 
ristian  world. 
;35,000. 
ed  at  Leeds, 
followed  by 
md  in  every 
t  extended  to 
the  mission- 
it  which  in- 
have  perme- 
ge  of  British 
et  known. 


THE   JUHII.EE. 


427 


The  jubilee  movement  did  not  commence  in  the 
conference  of  Eastern  British  America  until  the 
month  of  July,  18G4. 

Newfoundland,  which  is  never  behind  in  any  good 
thing,  lias  taken  an  imi)()rtant  part.     To  that  country 
the  time  was  most  inauspicicms.     Both  the  seal-H..hery 
in  the  si)ring,  and  the  cod-fishery  in  the  summer,  had 
faded,  and  pinching  poverty  stared  multitudes  directly 
m  the   face.     Some  thought  it  unwise  and  impolitic  to 
attempt  any  sj^ecial  effort  for  pecuniary  purposes  and 
that  a  postponement  would  be  the  better  plan.    Amidst 
many    discounigements   a    public    meeting   was    held 
in  St.  Johns  and  the  noble  sum  of  $1000  or   ^£400 
was  subscribed.     The  following   sums   were  also  ex- 
pected to  be  raised :    from   Carbonear,  $240,   Harbor 
Grace,  $400,  and  Brigus,  $300 ;    making  a  total  for 
the  island,  of  $  2540 ;  and  this  in  a  season  of  almost 
unparalleled  failure  and  distress.    The  Lord  will  surely 
bless  that  people. 

Our  conference  of  1864  was  again  honored  with  a 
representative  from    the   British    Cor.r.rence,    in   the 
person  of  the  Rev.  William  L.    ,  aornton,  M.  A.,  ac- 
companied by  the  Rev.  Robinson  Scott,  a  representative 
from  the  Irish  Conference.     The  wise  counsels  <  f  these 
excellent   brethren,   their    ardent   zeal,    their   earnest 
prayers,    their   Christian    courtesy,    their   pulpit  ser- 
vices,—and  to  mention  one  case,  the  address  of  Mr. 
Thornton  to  the  young  men  who  were  received  into 
full  connection,  — were  of  a  character  that  will  en  i  ar 
their  names  to  them  while  life  shall  last,  and  can  never 
be  erased  from  the  minds  and  memories  of  those  who 
had  the  privilege  of  being  present. 

At  this  conference  the  Newfoundland  District  num- 
I........   ,^,,  ^^^n   uiuuiu^i,    uigut   mission   stations,    and 

twenty-two  ministers. 


428 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   i TS    MISSIONARIES. 


The  following  are  the  stations  for  the  present  year, 
1864-5. 

St.  Johns  —  P.  Prestwood,  A.  W.  Turner,  Joseph  Gaetz, 

Adam  Nightingale,  Supernumerary. 
Harbor  Grace  —  James  Dove. 
Carbonear  —  J.  Winterbotham,  John  Allen. 
Brigus  —  Thomas  Harris. 
Port  de  Grave  —  Joseph  Pascoe. 
Blackhead  —  John  Waterhouse. 
Island  Cove  —  W.  E.  Shenstone. 
Old  Perlican  —  John  S.  Peach. 
Hants'  Harbor  —  One  to  be  sent 
Trinity  —  Charles  Ladner. 
Bona  VISTA  —  Charles  Comben,  J.  Goodison. 
TwiLLiNGATE  —  James  A.  Duko. 
Burin  —  S.  T.  Teed.  \ 

Grand  Bank  —  John  S.  Phinney. 


MISSIONS. 

Labrador  —  John  Allen,  for  the  summer  months. 

Petites  —  John  M.  Pike. 

Channel  —  Isaac  Howie. 

Exploits  —  J.  A.  Rogers. 

FoGO  and  Change  Islands  —  Thomas  Fox. 

Little  Bay  Islands  —  To  be  supplied  by  the  chairman. 

Green's  Pond  —  One  wanted. 

Spencer's  Pond  —  One  wanted. 

John  S.  Peach,  Chairman. 
James  Dove,  Fin.  Sec. 

From  the  following  table  it  will  be  seen  that, 
by  the  mercy  of  God,  we  have  a  total  member- 
ship of  four  thousand  persons  on  the  island  of  New- 
foundland and  its  dependencies.  Its  contributions  to 
the  mission  fund,  for  the  last  year,  were  $2,243,64, 
and  the  adherents  to  Methodism  upwards  of  twenty 


be  chairman. 


MEMBERSHIP. 

Our  membership  stands  thus :  — 


429 


St,  Johns 
Harbor  Grace 
Carbonear     . 
Brigus 

I'ort  de  Grave 
Blackhead 
Island  Cove  . 
Old  Perlican 
Hants'  Harbor 
Trinity 
Bonavista 
Twillingate 

Burin    . 

Grand  Bank 

Petites  . 

Channel    . 

Exploits 

Togo 

Green's  Pond 


Members. 


304 
102 
501 
126 
50 
435 
128 
280 
150 
90 
302 
225 
250 
197 
55 
11 
95 
33 
30 


3364 


On  Trial. 


248 

17 

10 

20 

2 

30 
36 
6 
25 
20 
131 
47 
20 

50 
47 
26 


735 


Total. 

552 

102 

5>8 

136 

70 

437 

128 
310 
186 

96 
327 
245 
381 
244 

75 

11 
145 

80 

56 


4099 


^  Such  is  the  State  of  our  church  in  Newfoundland, 
m  this  the  eentenaiy  year  of  its  existence.  We  have 
reached  at  least  one-third  of  the  Protestant  population, 
and  one-sixth  of  the  entire  population  of  the  isl- 
and. And  if  the  labors  of  the  few  agents,  which 
Methodism  had  for  a  large  part  of  the  last  century, 
have  been  so  much  blessed,  what  may  we  not  expect 
m  future,  with  her  greatly  increased  agency,  and  the 
appliances  she  now  has  at  command  ?  We  truly  have 
cause  to  thank  God,  and  take  courage,  and  will  heartily 
join   in  the  prayer   of  Moses,  the   man  of  God:  — 


II 


m 


430 


NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


*'  Let  thy  work  appear  unto  thy  servants,  and  thy 
glory  unto  their  children.  And  let  the  beauty  of 
the  Lord  our  God  be  upon  us  ;  and  establish  thou 
the  work  of  our  hands  upon  us,  yea,  the  work  of 
our  hands,  establish  thou  it." 


IM,- 


COMLUSIOBT. 


TOURING  the  past  century,  the  Methodist  minis. 

t"V.  r   ",        "',  ''''""^  '"  Newfoundland   have 

o.led  through  many  difficulties,  and  suffered  many  priva! 

^ons ;  but  tl,ose  difficulties  mostly  arose  from  the  p  ;t 

it  l"T^'  "'■  ^"""  ■"«"  -ho  were  fnflu- 

enced  by  a  morb.d  theology  ;  never  from  the  opposi- 
■on  of  the  people.  A  Newfoundlander  scarcely  Ws 
how  to  be  mhospitable  or  unkind  to  st^nge,^ ;  T^ 
for  Ohr.t,a„  minister,  he  feels  a  deep  respect.  £ 
Congregatzonal  chu  ;„  St.  Johns,  which  for  many 
years  was  the  only  non-conforming  body  beside  ou^ 

and   the   Presbytermns,   whose    churches   have  been 
comparatively  recently  formed,  do  the  same  to  this  day 
Roman   Cathohcs,   however  they  may  hate   heretic^ 
have  offered  but  little   opposition  to  Methodism  i^a 
direct  way      The  opposition  we  have  been  called  to 
meet  was  from   men   who  called   themselves   Protes- 
tants; who  pompously  claim  to  be  the  church;  who 
denounce  other   ministers   as  "  unauthori^d  guides  " 
and  deny  their  right,  either  to  preach  the  gfspel  ;r 
administer  the  sacraments,  because  they  have  not  re- 
ceived ordination  from  the  hands  of  a  diocesan  bishop. 
We  can  indeed   afford  to  smile  at  these  ostentatious 

that  but  for  Meu,od.st  preachers  and  the.r  labors  be- 
e..  Claimants  lur  -  apostolical  succession  "  came 

(431) 


i  ¥• 


ill 


mm" 


TS^ 


432         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


to  the  island,  many  places  where  themselves  now 
labor  would  have  been  uncheered  with  the  light  and 
truths  of  the  gospel,  or  have  been  brought  under 
the  power  and  direct  influence  of  the  Church  of  Rome. 
"We  hope  and  pray  that  these  men  may  see  and  act 
differently ;  but  whether  so  or  not,  it  is  the  fixed 
purpose  of  Wesle^  an  ministers  to  labor  on  with  dili- 
gence in  their  Master's  work,  give  themselves  to  the 
"  ministry  of  the  word  and  to  prayer,"  knowing  that 
in  **  due  season  we  shall  reap,  if  we  faint  not." 

The  progress  of  our  mission  in  Newfoundland  has 
never  been  rapid ;  still,  from  its  commencement,  it 
has  been  gradual  and  continuous.  For  a  time  it  was 
located  in  and  near  Harbor  Grace ;  then  it  com- 
menced in  Old  Perlican  ;  from  Harbor  Grace  it  ex- 
tended down  the  North  Shore,  and  from  Perlican  it 
was  carried  to  Island  Cove  and  across  the  bay  to 
Trinity.  Next  it  commenced  in  St.  Johns,  and,  not 
long  after,  it  went  as  far  north  as  Bonavista.  After 
several  years,  it  took  a  long  stretch  to  the  west,  and 
planted  itself  in  Burin  and  Fortune  Bay.  Another 
stationary  period  came,  after  Avhich  it  rolled  on  north 
to  Green's  Pond  and  Tvvilhngate,  and  in  another 
direction  went  to  the  Western  Shore ;  and,  finally, 
it  extended  to  the  coast  of  Labrador,  and  as  far 
north  on  that  coast  as  our  hardy  fishermen,  in  the 
prosecution  of  their  wearisome  and  dangerous  toil, 
deem  it  prudent  to  proceed. 

There  is  no  one  place  that  the  missionaries  have 
labored,  in  which  they  have  not  had  success.  In  several 
places  they  are  the  only  Protestant  ministers  ;  and  in 
others  they  have  an  influence  over  the  larger  portion 
of  the  community.  Thousands  have  gone  to  heaven 
from  Newfoundland,  who  never  sat  under  any  other  than 


)NARIE3. 

hemselves  now 
ti  the  light  and 

brought  under 
hurch  of  Rome. 
lay  see  and  act 
it  is  the  fixed 
r  on  with  diH- 
lemselves  to  the 
"  knowing  that 
aint  not." 
wfoundland  has 
nmencement,  it 
T  a  time  it  was 
then  it  corn- 
er Grace  it  ex- 
:om  PerHcan  it 
'OSS  the  bay  to 
Johns,  and,  not 
mavista.  After 
0  the  west,  and 
Bay.      Another 

rolled  on  north 
and  in  another 
J ;  and,  finally, 
lor,  and  as  far 
shermen,  in  the 

dangerous   toil, 

lissionaries  have 
cess.  In  several 
inisters  ;  and  in 
le  larger  portion 
gone  to  heaven 
jr  any  other  than 


CONCLUSION. 


433 


the  Wesleyan  ministry ;  and  thousands  are  now  living  In 
the  enjoyment  of  religion,  who,  but  for  Methodism,  would 
be  Ignorant  of  God  and  walking  in  the  ways  of  sin 

The  physical    difficulties   of  the   country  have   to 
a  great   extent   been   overcome.      When    Lawrence 
Coughlan    landed   at   Harbor   Grace,   and    for  sixty 
years  after,  there  was   not  a  road  to  travel  on,  or 
a  horse  to  ride ;  the  plough  was  unknown  ;  the  land  was 
uncultivated  except  what  was  done  with  the  narrow 
Irish  spade.     Now  in  many  places   they  have  good 
roads  and   bridges,  horses,  carriages,  packets,  steam- 
boats,  ploughs,  and  various  other  agricultural  imple- 
ments.   Hence  travelling  can  now  be  performed  with 
comfort    and   the   land   cultivated   with   comparative 
ease.    Moreover,  many  thousands  of  acres  of  rich  arable 
land  have  been  discovered  in  a  country  denounced  as 
universally  barren,  and  mines  and  minerals  have  also 
been   found   of   sufficient    richness    and    in   localities 
of  such  convenience  as  will  repay  the  capitalist  and 
emp  oy  laborers  to  a  great  extent ;  which,  with  the 
mexhaustible  shoals  of  fish  on  its  shores,  the  count- 
less  multitude  of  seals  that  annually  come  on  its  coast, 
and  the  rich  furs  of  its  interior,  will  raise  Newfound- 
land, at  no  great  distance  of  time,  to  great  wealth  and 
prosperity. 

In  arriving  at  its  present  civil  position,  and  acquir- 
mg  Its  present  political  constitution,  Newfoundland 
has  had  many  a  struggle,  and  has  sometimes  been 
placed  m  a  position  that  was  humiliating  and  op- 
pressive. For  many  years  she  was  without  any  govern- 
ment whatever ;  and  what  in  that  country  was  first 
called  a  government,  which  was  the  «  fishing-admiral  " 
system,  was  only  another  name  for  anarchy.  The 
aLmmistration  of  law,  by  either   floating  or  resident 


4 
I 
t 
I  I 


434         NEWFOUNDLAND    AND   ITS    MISSIONARIES. 

surrogates,  was  incongruous  to  every  principle  which 
an  Englishman  would  consider  as  righteous  and  equi- 
table ;  and  when  the  question  of  self-government  by  a 
provincial  house  of  assembly  was  mooted,  the  measure 
was  stoutly  opposed,  —  the  idea  was  ridiculed.     It  was 
said  the  barren  character  of  the  country  would  not 
warrant  such  measure ;  the  ignorance  that  prevailed  in 
the  out-harbors  was  so   great   that   the   people  could 
not  be  made  to  understand  it ;  and  that  there  were  not 
men  enough  of  sufficient  intelligence  to  occupy  those 
official  positions  which,  as  members  in  a  colonial  parlia- 
ment,  they  would   of  necessity   be   required  to  fill. 
When  the  charter  was  granted  and  the  constitutional 
government  formed,  instead  of  being  a  great  boon,  it 
for  several  years  was  a  great  bane ;  for  there  were  not 
sufficient   guards  in   reference   either  to  the   elective 
suffrage,  or  the  qualification  of  members.     The  gov- 
ernment, therefore,  was  soon  thrown  into  the  power  of 
the    Roman    priesthood,    and,    although    nominally    a 
civil  government,  was  practically  a  hierarchy.      For 
eight  years  did  the  Protestants  of  Newfoundland  groan 
under  this  oppressive  tyranny ;  but  this  difficulty  was 
in  time  overcome,  for  on  the  26th  of  April,  1841, 
Capt'ain  Prescott,  the  then  governor  of  the  island,  dis- 
missed the  assembly,  and  dissolved  the  charter.     A 
new  charter  was  afterwards  granted,  more  adapted  to 
the  wants  and  circumstances  of  the  people.     Under 
this   charter    they   are    now   governed.      These    op- 
pressive acts   the  Newfoundlanders   bore   with   great 
patience.    There  was  nothing  rebellious  in  them  ;  they 
are  firmly  attached  to  the  British   Crown,  and  they 
have  never  sought  redress  for  their  grievances,  except 
in  a  constitutional   manner.     The   papal  power  still 
strives  to  govern  the  island,  as  in  fact,  it  does  every- 


COXCLUSION. 


435 


where;  yet,  the  increasing  intelligence  of  the  Protes- 
tant  population,  their  numbers,  and  their  wealth,  are 
siich,  that  while  they  will  readily  concede  to  Roman 
Catholics  their  religious  privileges  in  their  full  extent, 
and  their  just  share  in  the  government  of  the  country, 
they  will  never  again  allow  the  priesthood  to  rule,  or 

from  thlm  ^"'^'^'^'''  "'"'^  "'  ''^^^^°^''   '°  ^'  *^^^" 
In  the  preceding  pages  it  is  shown,  that  the  laborincr 
people  often  suffer  extreme  poverty,  arising  from  the 
failure  of  the  fishery,  or  the  small  number  of  seals 
which  come  on  the  coast  in  the  spring.     This  is  deeply 
to  be  deplored.     The  cause  is,  tb.se  people  follow  no 
business  but  the  fishery;  they  do  not  cultivate  the  land 
to  the  extent  it  must  be  done  before  this  state  of  thin<rs 
can  be  entirely  altered.     There  is  indeed  a  great  diffi- 
culty m  the  way;  for  the  months   of  May  and  June 
are  in  general  the  best  months  for  fishing,   and  that  is 
the  only  time  to  plough  and  plant  the  ground.     Still 
by   a  judicious   arrangement,   time    may  be  found  to 
plant  a  portion  of  ground  before  the  fishery  commences 
to  cut  the  hay  in  the  slack  time  between  the  caplin  and 
squid  scull,  and  gather,  in  the  autumn,  both  the  fruits 
ot  earth  and  of  the  sea. 

Education  is  now  being  extensively  diffused  and  has 
already  been  a  great  blessing  to  the  people.     For  want 
ot   «iis,   in   bygone  years  the   Newfoundlanders  were 
otten    the    subjects  of  banter   and  burlesque.     It  was 
with  them  as  it  used  to  be  with   the  British  sailor. 
When  the  mariner  would  return  from  his  long  voyage 
and  reach  his  native  shore,  instead  of  providing  hiin 
with  a  comfortable  home,  with  means  of  mental  culture 
and  religious  instruction,  he  would  be  left  to  the  tender 
mercies  of  the  rumsellcr,  the  crimp,  and  the  most  prof- 


it 


\ 


436         NEWFOUNDLAND   AND   ITS   MISSIONARIES. 

ligate  of  human  beings ;  and  when,  through  the  influ- 
ence of  strong  drink,  he  would  swear  Hke  a  demon,  or 
act  like  a  maniac,  the  passers-by  would  smile,  and  ex- 
claim, "  Never  mind  him,  —  he  is  only  a  sailor."  So  it 
was  with  the  Newfoundlander  ;  when  from  lack  of  ed- 
ucation his  language  would  not  be  grammatical,  his  ac- 
cent be  that  of  his  forefathers,  or  he  would  use  terms  or 
phrases  which,  however  expressive  at  one  time,  are  now 
old-fashioned  and  obsolete,  those  who  heard  him  would 
smile,  and  say,  "Oh,  he  is  only  an  ignorant  fisher- 


man. 


>) 


A  reproach  like  this  will  soon  cease  to  be  heard. 
For  Newfoundland  now  has  her  academies  of  learning, 
her  training-schools  for  teachers,  and  her  elementary 
schools  scattered  over  the  whole  island.  She  has  also 
her  institutions  for  science,  literature,  her  public  libra- 
ries, botanic  gardens,  and  other  means  of  improve- 
ment. She  has  her  public  lecturers,  her  orators, 
and  her  divines ;  and  another  generation  will  not  pass 
away  ere  her  fishermen  will  be  quite  as  well  educated 
as  are  the  peasantry  of  any  province  in  this  hemis- 
phere. 

In  the  Sabbath  schools  the  children  are  taught  the 
facts  of  the  Bible,  and  instructed  in  its  doctrines,  while 
every  effort  is  made  to  lead  them  to  an  experimental 
acquaintance  with  the  religion  of  Jesus.  The  teach- 
ers in  these  Sabbath  schools  have  been  rewarded  for 
their  past  labors,  in  seeing  the  benefit  the  children  have 
received ;  while  the  instances  are  not  few  where  little 
children  have  died  happy,  through  and  by  means  of  the 
iHstructions  received  in  the  Sabbath  school. 

The  ministers  of  the  Wesleyan  Church  have  great 
cause  for  thankfulness  for  the  manner  and  the  extent 
to  which  their  labors  have  been  blessed  to  this  people. 


I  \\^  i 


N  ARIES. 

)ugh  the  influ- 
lie  a  demon,  or 
smile,  and  ex- 
sailor."  So  it 
rom  lack  of  ed- 
matical,  his  ac- 
id use  terms  or 
J  time,  are  now 
ard  him  would 
snorant  fisher- 

e  to  he  heard, 
ies  of  learning, 
tier  elementary 
She  has  also 
er  public  libra- 
is  of  improve- 
;,  her  orators, 
n  will  not  pass 
J  well  educated 
in  this  hemis- 

are  taught  the 
doctrines,  while 
m  experimental 
s.  The  teacli- 
n  rewarded  for 
le  children  have 
few  where  little 
by  means  of  the 
ool. 

rch  have  great 
and  the  extent 
i  to  this  people. 


CONCLUS:ON. 


487 


Newfoundland   was  the  first  missionary  ground  ever 
occupied  by  the   Methodist  Church  ;  and  Methodism 
was   the  first  evangelical  teaching  the  people  of  that 
island   ever  enjoyed.      For  one  entire  century  have 
they  toiled  along  its  shores  and  preached  amono-  its 
people  the  words  of  life  and  salvation.     Their  labor 
has  not  been  in  vain.     They  have  been  instrumental 
m  the  conversion  of  many.     For  this  the^  are  thankful. 
But  Newfoundland  is  not  yet  evangelized ;  there  are 
many  coves  and  harbors  where  as  yet  we  have  no  es- 
tablishments.    Popery  still  governs  nearly  one  half  of 
the  population,  and  the  little  less  withering  influence 
of  Puseyism  guides  thousands  who  boast  of  being  called 
Protestants ;  while  in  our  Wesleyan  communities  and 
congregations   there  are  many  who  are  yet   unsaved 
and  in  their  sins. 

Consistent  with  its  character  and  mission,  Methodism 
cannot  remain  an  idle  spectator  of  the  moral  evil  that 
is  in  the  world.     Her  business  is  to  enlighten  the  minds 
of  men  and  pluck  poor   sinners   as    brands  from  the 
burning.     For  tliis  she  was  called  into  existence,  and 
by  a  chain  of  providential  interpositions,  has  been  placed 
in  her  present   commanding  position  ;     and  were  she 
now  recreant  to  her  trust,  sh«  would  lose  her  glory,  be 
laid  aside,  and  another  or  others  would  take  her  place. 
With  all  evangelical  churches  she  cherishes  the  most 
fraternal  feeling ;  but  with  Popery  and  her  young  sister 
Puseyism  she  is  in  antagonism,  and  will  never  retire 
from  the  conflict  until    those    systems  are  no  more. 
The  circulation  of  the  Holy  Scriptures,  the  right  train- 
ing of  children,  the  faithful  preaching  of  Christ  cruci- 
fied, with  prayer  and  faith,  are  the  weapons  we  employ, 
and    by  these    shall   error    be    overthrown   and   the 
whole  be   won  to   Christ. 


438 


NEWFOUNDLAND   AND    ITS    MISSIONARIES. 


r     i1 


Let  us  then  labor  on  until  not  only  every  part  of 
the  island  of  NevvfouiuMand  be  truly  evangelized,  but 
until  the  light  of  divine  truth  shines  in  every  land  and 
among  every  people  upon  earth.  In  the  word  of  God 
we  are  assured  that  such  shall  be  the  case  ;  for  it  is 
therein  written,  "  The  earth  shall  be  full  of  the  knowl- 
edo-e  of  the  Lord,  as  the  waters  cover  the  sea.'* 


N  ARIES. 


'  every  part  of 
vangelized,  but 
every  land  and 
le  word  of  God 
case  ;  for  it  is 
il  of  the  knowl- 


le  sea. 


>> 


CHRONOLOGICAL  TABLE 


AND 


INDEX. 


I 

I 

iff  I 


CHRONOLOGICAL   TABLE. 


A.  D. 

1497. 
1500. 

1502. 
1617. 

1534. 
1536. 


1649. 
1583. 

1610. 

1612. 

1615. 
1623. 

1633. 

(( 

1635. 
1675. 


1676. 
1696. 


Newfoundland  discovered  by  John  Cubot,  June  24th. 
Gasper  Corteral  visited  the  coast  and  landed  at  Portugal 

Cove. 
Portuguese  commenced  fishing  on  the  coast. 
British,  French,  Spaniards,  and  Portuguese,  collectively, 

had  forty  vessels  engaged  in  *;  u  .istr.nes. 
Jacques  Cartier  landed  in  Catal'  *a  ITarlK  r. 
British  attempted  to  colonize  tl.o  ,'  lanrl,,  ander  "  Master 
Robert  Hore,"  a  merchant  of  1  r-ndoit,  but  failed,  and 
the  colonists  nearly  perished. 
An  Act  of  Parliament  passed  for  the  bettor  encourage- 
ment of  the  fisheries  of  Newfoundland. 
Sir  Humphrey  Gilbert  took  formal  possession  of  New- 
foundland, on  Monday,  August  5th,  in  the  name  of 
Queen  Elizabeth. 
First  settlers  came  out  to  Conception  Bay,  under  Mr.  Guy, 

a  merchant,  of  Bristol. 
Guy  partially  surveyed  the  coast,  and  held  friendly  inter- 
course with  the  Red  Indians. 
Captain  Whitbourne  sent  out  to  correct  abuses. 
Second  party  of  English  settlers  came,  under  Lord  Balti- 
more, and  settled  in  Ferriland. 
First  laws  promulgated  in  reference  to  Newfoundland. 

Fishing  Admiral  System  commenced. 
Permission  granted  to  the  French  to  cure  fish  on  the  land. 
Colonists  displanted  by  royal  authority,  when  many  houses 
were  destroyed  and  much  suffering  caused  among  the 
people. 
The  order  revoked. 

St.  Johns  captured  by  the  French,  under  Admiral  Brou- 
iiien. 

(441) 


442 


CHROXOLOGICAL   TABLE. 


I        ' 


i      ! 


1705. 

1708. 

1713. 
1729. 


1741. 
1751. 
1762. 

1763. 

1764. 

1765. 

1770. 

1772. 

1774. 

1775. 
it 

1786. 
1789. 

1791. 
1796. 

1807. 
1815. 

1816. 

1817. 

(( 
1819. 


French  destroy  a  number  of  British  settlements  on  the 
coast. 

St.  Johns  captured  a  second  time  by  the  French,  under 
St.  Ovide. 

Treaty  of  Utrecht. 

Newfoundland  separated  from  the  government  of  Nova 
Scotia.  Captain  Henry  Osborne,  R.  N.,  the  first 
governor.  He  erected  the  first  court-house  and  jail, 
instituted  surrogate  courts,  and  appointed  magis- 
trates. 

Court  of  Vice  Admiralty  established. 

Captain  Drake  established  a  court  of  oyer  and  terminer. 

St.  Johns  captured  a  third  time  by  the  French  Admiral 
de  Tern  ay. 

Labrador  annexed  to  the  gvovernment  of  Newfoundland. 

Treaty  of  Paris. 

Custom-house  established  '  jy  Sir  Hugh  Pelliser,  and  navi- 
gation laws  extended  to  Newfoundland. 

Rev.  Lawrence  Coughlan  arrives  in  Harbor  Grace,  and 
introduces  Methodism. 

John  Stretton  arrives  in  Harbor  Grace. 

Lawrence  Coughlan  returns  to  England. 

John  Haskins  arrives  in  Newfoundland. 

Year  of  the  great  storm. 

Copper  mine  opened  in  Shoal  Bay,  near  St.  Johns. 

John  M'Geary  arrives  in  Newfoundland. 

Court  of  Common  Pleas  established  by  Admiral  Mil- 
banke. 

Rev.  William  Black  visits  Newfoundland. 

A  large  French  fleet  appeared  off  St.  Johns,  and  burnt 
Bay  Bulls. 

First  newspaper  issued  in  St.  Johr^. 

Mission  stations  in  Newfoundland  organized  into  a  dis- 
trict. 

Great  fire  in  St.  Johns,  Feb.  12.  Property  destroyed  to 
the  amount  of  £100,000. 

A  second  great  £re,  Nov.  7;  thirteen  mercantile  estab- 
lishments and  one  hundred  and  forty  houses  destroyed. 

The  winter  of  the  "  Rals." 

Mary  MarclK  a  red  Indian  woman  brought  to  St.  Johns. 


CHRONOLOGICAL   TABLE. 


443 


ins,  and  burnt 


1823. 

(( 

1826. 

1833. 

1839. 

1840. 
1846. 
1855. 


1859. 
1860. 
1865. 


Mr.  Cormach  crossed  the  island  from  Random  Sound  to 
St.  George's  J3ay, 

Three  Indian  females  brought  to  St.  Johns,  — the  last 
red  Indians  that  have  been  seen. 

Surrogate  Court  abolished,  and  Supreme  Court  estab- 
lished.   • 

First  session  of  the  legislature  opened  Jan.  1,  by  Sir 
Thomas  Cochran. 

Geological  survey  of  the  island,  by  J.  B.  Jukes,  Esq., 
M.A.F.;  G.S. 

First  steamer  arrives  in  St.  Johns 

St.  Johns  again  nearly  destroyed  by  fire. 

The  Wesley  an  districts  in  the  lower  provinces  unite.?,  and 
formed  in*©  distinct  connection,  called  The  Confeb- 
ENCK  OF  Eastern  British  America. 

First  missions  of  the  Conference  formed. 

The  Prince  of  Wales  visits  Newfoundland. 

The  centenary  year  of  Methodism  in  British  America. 


to  St.  Johns. 


i 


INDEX. 


A. 

PAOE 

Aborigines 72 

Acadeinie.<<,  Newfoundland  .        .  67 

Academy,  St  Johns        .        .        .  209 

Academy,  Sacliville      .        .        .  207 

Admiralty,  Vice  Court  of        .        .  85 
Admirals  Fisliing         .        .        .75, 82 

Allison,  C.  F.  Esq.,  his  Gift    .        .  207 

Angwin,  Rev.  Thomas         .        .  224 

Animal  Kingdom     ....  69 

Armada,  Spanish  ....  71 

Assembly,  First  in  Newfoundland  .  93 

B. 

Baltimore,  Lord    ....  74 

Barr,  Rev.  Ninian    ....  239 

Bate,  Rev.  Charles,  Memoir  of    .  196 

Beecham  Dr.,  Memoir  of .        .        .  233 

Bell,  Rev.  John,  Memoir  of         .  237 

Benson,  Rev.  Joseph,  Memoir  of     .  169 

Bible  Society,  Newfoundland       .  228 

Birds 63 

Black,  Rev.  William  ...  176 
Boardman,  Rev.  Richard  .  .  131 
Bonavista  resists  the  French  .  82 
"  Circuit,  .  .  .  .199 
Boyce,  President  ....  240 
Boyd,  Rev.  John  .  .  .  .178 
Brackenbury,  R.  C,  Esq.,  his  Be- 
quest        194 

Bradburn,  Rev.  Samuel  .        .        .  172 

Buckley,  Rev.  James    .        .        .  192 

Bunting,  Rev  Jabez,  Memoir  of     .  258 

Busby,  Rev.  Sampson  .        .        .  182 

"             ■«              Memoir  of     .  182 
Butterworth,  Joseph,  Esq.,  Memoir 

of  .                ,        .        ,        .  IfiR 


c. 


Caplin  Scull .... 

Carbonear        .... 
"        Resists  the  French 
"        Captain,  Anecdote  of 

Catalina        .... 

Chesley,  Rev.  Robert,  Memoir  of 

Circulars  .... 

Clarke,  Dr.  Adam,  Memoir  of 

Climate    .... 

Coast,  Sea     .... 

Churches,  Newfoundland 

Church,  Congregational 

Cochran,  Sir  Thomas 

Colonization 

Conference,  First  British 
"  of  1769      . 

"  Canada         . 

"  French 

"  Australasian 

"  E^^tern    British 


ica    . 
Catechisms 


Coke,  Dr, 


PAOX 

209 

14 

64 

166 

12 

235 

172 

199 

31 

14,15 

211 


47,48 

86 

93 

228 

231 

231 


Amer- 


Mission  to  India 
"  Death  of    . 

Coughlan,  Rev.  Lawrence     123, 134, 141 

Crab's  River 26 

Corbett,  Rev.  John      ...  196 

Court  of  the  Fishing  Admirals      .  75 

"           Surrogate  Established  84 

"           of  Vice-Admiralty         .  85 

"           Oyer  and  Terminer  .  86 

"           Common  Pleas     .        .  87 

"           Supreme    ...  91 

Crew,  George  .        .        .        •        .  215 

(445) 


232 
213 
129, 137 
141 
142. 


'iJ- 


446 


INDEX. 


D. 


Deer 59 

Discovery  of  Newfoundland    .        .  66 

Distances  of  the  principal  Towns  .  16 

Displanting  the  luhabitants    .        .  77 
District,       First       Newfoundland, 

formed    ....        193,164 

Dodwell,  KcT.  T.  his  Bequest      .  144 

Dove,  ReT.  James    ....  235 

Drawing  Bills        .                         .  245 
Drinking  Habits       .        .    -   .        .203 

Dulce,  Kev.  James  A.    .        •       .  237 

E. 

Eastern  Coast           ....  20 

Editor  Winton,  his  Ears  cut  oO!    .  206 

Ellidge,  Rev.  George        .        .        .  188 

Ellis,  Ilev.  William,  Memoir  of    .  181 
Embury,  Philip        .        .        .        .134 

England,  Religious  State  of  .        .  103 

Esquimaux,  Moravian  3Iission  to    .  184 

"           Wesleyan            "  185 

F. 

Famine  in  Bonavista    .        .        .  217 

Faulkner,  Kev.  William  .        .        .  215 

Flowers 57,  58 

Fly-Sheet  Agitation         ...  229 
Forests  of  Newfoundland    .        .  35 
Fish,  Captain  Hayes'  Report  of        .  203 
Fislieries,  Laws  respecting  the     .  18 
Fishery  commenced          ...  67 
"    Mode  of  Prosecuting        .  205 
French  Shore           ....  22 
"    Aggression        ...  80 
'*    not  allowed  to  erect  Build- 
ings      81 

French  Capture  St.  Johns    .        .  23 

second  Time    .        .  83 

third  Time          .  85 


(I 


G. 

Gaetz,  Rev.  Thomas,  Memoir  of     .  242 

Garden  Fruits       ....  58 

Gardens ^5 

Geology 61 

Gilbert.  Sir  Humphrey  takes  posses- 
sion of  the  Islan  d      ...  68 
Gilbert  is  lost  at  the  Azores         .  69 
Green  Bay  Mission            .         .  223 


H. 


Haigh,  Rev.  John,  Memoir  of     . 

240 

Ilaibor  Grace           .... 

82 

Circuit           .       . 

226 

Hickson,  James        .... 

225 

"        his  Journey 

202 

"         Memoir  of 

223 

Hickson,  Thomas         ,        . 

223 

"         Mission  to  Labrador 

186 

Iloskins,  John 

150 

Houses          .        .                .        . 

204 

Huntingdon,  Lady  .... 

168 

Houston,  Miss,  her  Bequest 

194 

I. 

Ibberville  French  Admiral 
India     .        .        .        .        , 
Indies,  West    .        ,        . 
Ingornachoix  Bay 
Interior  of  the  Island 
Ingham,  Rev.  Jabez     . 

J. 


11 
(( 
(1 
<i 

K 
11 
i( 
II 

11 


81 

189 

186 

28 

36 

224 


James,  Rev.  John,  Memoir  of         .  199 
Johns,  St.,  Description  of     .        .  19 
Attacked  by  Nesmond    .  80 
Captured  by  Ibberville  81 
"        by  St.  Ovid     .  83 
"       by  a  French 
Squadron        ,        .  85 
Retaken  by  Lord  Colville  86 
Threatened  by  Richery  88 
Great  Fires  in      .        .90,  196 
Circuit     .        .        .        .196 
Jubilee  Meeting  at      .  246 
Jubilee  of  Wesleyan  Missionary  So- 
ciety        244 

Jubilee  Movement  of  E.  B.  A.  Con- 
ference      .        ,        .        .        .  245 
Jukes,  Mr.,  Surveys  the  Island    .  26 

K. 

Knight,  Rev.  Richard      .        .        .227 

"      Mission  to  Labrador      .  187 

"      Journey  across  the  Country  202 

"      Memoir  of         .        .        .  240 

L. 

Leake,   Sir  .John,  destroys  twenty- 
nine  French  Ships         .        .  82 


aoir  of     .       240 

•  •  •         M 

.       .       225 
.    226 
ney  .       202 

of        .       .223 
223 
to  Labrador     186 
160 
2M 
.    166 
luest  IH 


•  • 


•  • 


iral 


81 

189 

186 

28 

36 

224 


loir  of 

199 

of     . 

19 

Nesmond    . 

80 

Ibberville 

81 

St.  Ovid     . 

83 

a  French 

n 

83 

Lord  Colville 

88 

by  Richery 

88 

in     .        .90 

196 

. 

196 

ting  at 

246 

issionary  So- 

. 

244 

!.  B.  A.  Con- 

.        .        • 

245 

e  Island    . 

26 

227 

jrador 

187 

3  the  Country 

202 

•               ■               • 

240 

roys  twenty- 

82 


INDEX. 


41 


Lakes        .        

Labrador  annexed  to  Newfoundland 
Labrador,  Mission  to  the  Indians  of    184 
Labrador,  Mission  to  Fishermen  and 
Settlers  of        .        .       .     227,228 


113 

189 
222 
226 


Lay  Preachers 

Leeds  Missionary  Society 

Lewis,  IleV.  John 

Literature         .... 

Lock,  Elizabeth,  Anecdotes  of 

138,156,219 
Long  Range  ....         40 

M. 

McGeary,  Rev.  John  .  .  159, 174 
McDowell,  Rev.  S.,  Memoir  of  .  181 
Marshall,  Rev.  VV.        "        "  225 

March,  Mary,  Native  Indian  .  190 
Mason,  Rev.  John,  Memoir  of  .  265 
Members  in  Newfoundland  ,        247 

MEMOIUS. 
Bate,  Rev.  Charles  .        .  .196 

Beecham,  Rev.  John,  d.  d.  233 

Bell,  Rev.  John        ...  237 

Bunting,  Rev.  Jabez,  d.  d.  .        258 

Busby,  Rev.  Sampson  .        .    132 

Butterworth,  Joseph,  Esq.,  m.  p.  198 
Clarke,  Rev.  Adam,  u..  d.  .  ,  I99 
Chesley,  Rev.  Robert  A.  .  .  335 
Croscombe,  Rev.  William  .  .  195 
Cubit,  Rev.  George  .  .  .  237 
Ellis.  Rev.  William  .        .        .    igl 

Gaetz,  Rev.  Thomas  .  .  .  242 
Ilaij^h,  Rev.  John  .        .        .240 

Ilickson,  Rev.  James  .  .  .  223 
James,  Rev.  John  ....  199 
Knight,  Rev.  Richard  ...  240 
Mason,  Rev.  John  .  .  .  .266 
McDowell,  Rev.  Samuel  .  .  181 
Marshall,  Rev.  William  ,  .  .  225 
Morley,  Rev.  George  ...  263 
Murry,  Rev.  William  .  .  .220 
Noall,  Rev.  Simeon  .  .  .  195 
Pickavant,  Rev.  John  .  .  .222 
Remmington,  Rev.  John  .  .  180 
Shenstone,  Rev.  William  8.  .  ,  243 
Smith,  Rev.  George  ■  .  .  178 
"Stanley,  Rev.  Thomas  .  .  .199 
ThoiL'sby,  Rev.  William  .  .  179 
Townley,  Rev.  J.-iujcs,  ».  ».     .        ,    199 


Walsh,  Rev.  John 
Watson,  Rev.  Richard     . 
Williams,  Rev.  Richard       .       , 

Methodism,  the  Rise  of   .       . 
"  Success  of  .        ,        , 

"  in  Ireland     . 

Newfoundland       . 
New  York  . 
Jersey    . 
France 

Old  Perlican  . 
Harbor  Grace    . 
Trinity  . 
Burin 

Minutes  of  1770    .... 
Missionary  Society,  Formation  of 
"  Meeting,  the  first 

"  Report    .        .        .        , 

Missions  m  1818 

"      of  E.  B.  A.  Conference 
"      of  Moravians  to  Labrador 

Mineralogy 

Morley,  Rev.  George,  Memoir  of  . 
Mountains  and  Hills 
Murry,  Rev.  W.,  Memoir  of 


n 
a 


Nelson,  John    .... 
Newfoundland  Missionary  Society 
Newspapers  .... 

Noall,  Rev.  Simeon,  Memoir  of 
Nightingale,  Rev.  Adam       . 
Nova  Scotia  Missionary  Society     , 
Norris,  Rev.  James 

o. 

Oldsters,  What  is  meant  by    . 

Olivers.  Rev.  Thomas  . 

Osborne,  Governor  .... 

P. 

Palliser,  Sir  Hugh 
Persecution  in  England  .        , 

"         Trinity 

"         Bonavista  .    200 

Petty  Harbor 

Pierre,  St 

"       Ceded  to  the  French 
Pilmore,  Rev.  Joseph       .        .     129 
i-ickavant,  Rev.  John,  Memoir  of 


447 

288 

.    260 

225 

.    Ill 
122 

.    123 
124 

•    124 
144 

.    145 
149 

.    143 
151 

,  222 
165 
190 
lil3 
184 
243 
238 
184 
47 
191 
37 
220 


117 

234 
90 
195 
178 
238 
224 


207 

171 

84 


80 
114 

153 

,246 

251 

21 

26 

,132 


I 


448 


INDEX. 


i^  f 


Population  .       .       . 

Position  of  Newfoundland   .       . 
Prayer-meetings      .        .        .       . 
Prince  of  Wales,  Visit  of     . 
Preachers,  their  Length  of  Sic^K;e 
Propagation  Society         .        . 
Public  Ledger      .... 


Q. 


Quadrupeds     . 
Quirpon  Island     . 
Quinsy,  Malignant 


18,96 
17 
214 
96 
187 
245 
206 


69 

28 

216 


103 
200 

180 
63 

fi(5 


218  I 


B. 

Basping  Preachers  Accounts 
Religion,  State  of  !n  England 
Removal  from  Circuits 
Remmington,  Re*..  John,  Memoir  of 
Reptiles,  none  on  th,-  Island 
Representatives  in  ?t,  uaeof  AH«cmV?y 
Revival  of  Religion  in  Cones  ption  ]*a> 

"        in  Perlican  and  Island  Govt; 

"        in  Blackhead 

"        in  Bird  Island  Cove 
Bichery,  Admiral  .        .        ,         8S 

Rivers  and  Streaicis  ...        45,  46 

s. 

Babbvth  Schools   .       .       ,       213,232 

Sabbath-breaking    ....    218 

Schools,  .'aucity  of 

School  Socioiy,  Newfoundland 

Scott,  Rev.  'vobinson   . 

Seals,  Varieties  of    . 

"      Mode  of  Takmg 

"  Numbers  Taken 
Sealing  Vessels  Number  of . 
Se",ker,  Archbishop 
Shanandithit,  Red  Indian  Female  191 
Shenstone,  Rev.  W.  S.,  Memoir  of  .  243 
Shirley,  Rev.  Walter,  his  Cinjular      134 

Singing 211 

Smith,  Rev.  George,  Memoir  of  .  178 
Smithies,  Rev.  John  .  .  .  198 
Snowball,  Rev.  John  .  .  .  224 
Soil  of  Newfoundland  ...  62 
Squid  Scull  .       .        .        .       «       209 


.   175 

.  175 

246 

.  179 

180 

.  182 

182, 183 

.  110 


Stations    178,  194,  198,  214,  220,  224 

225,  234,  248. 
Stanley,  lU:^.  Thomas,  Memoir  of       199 
Statistics,  Ifvbles  of     .        .        .         96 
Stretton,  John         .      148, 145, 148, 178 

Steamers 94, 95 

Storms,  Great ....  87,  229 
Students  Expelled  from  Oxford  .  166 
Swindell,  Robert      .       .        .        .169 


T. 


146 


TLomey,  Arthur 

Thoresby,  R»:t'.  William,  Memoir  of 

Thornton,  Piusident     . 

Townley,  Rev.  JameB,  ».  B.,  Memoir 
of 

Tides     

Tompkins,  Rev.  John       .        .    198, 9.0i\ 

Travelling  in  Newfot'idland        .       'AtO 

Trea:..  of  Utrecht  .  ...  212 
'•  Paris  ....  23 
"        Versailles         ...     24 


24^ 

199 
34 


I 


7tg£Rable  Kingdom      ...  65 

Vicaiis,  Captain        ....  230 

Vicars,  Captain  Hedley       .        .  231 

Vice-Admiralty  Court     ...  86 

w. 

Warren,  Dr.,  Agitates  the  Connec- 
tion          221 

Walsh,  Rev.  John,  Memoir  of        .  238 

Walsh,  Thomaa    ....  169 
Ward,  William         .        .        .        .182 

Watson,  Rev.  Richard,  his  Sermon  192 

"         "         "         Memoir  of  .  260 
Wesley,  Rev.  John,  h.  a.,  liis  Labors 

and  Death      ....  160 

Wesley,  Rev.  Charles,  bis  Poetry    .  161 
"        "         "         his  Letter  to 

John  Stretton        .        .        .  159 
Webb,  Captain         .        .        .        .126 

Western  Bay  Circuit    ...  226 

Wild  Flowers           .        .        .        -  67 

Winter  Tilts         ....  216 

William,  Rev.  Richard,  Memoir  of  .  225 


I 


/03 


8590   4 


)8,  214,  220,  224 


Memoir  of 

199 

• 

96 

148, 145, 148, 178 

.    94,96 

.       .      87 

229 

a  Oxford  . 

166 

•        •        • 

169 

t        •        • 

IW 

1,  Memoir  of 

179 

•               •               • 

246 

9. ».,  Memoir 

•                     M                      • 

199 

1              1               * 

34 

.       .    198 

,m 

Hand 

'A\0 

•        •        • 

.'J2 

1       •        • 

li3 

•       •        • 

• 

24 

•        • 

65 

•        •        • 

230 

r 

231 

•             •              • 

86 

the  Conncc- 

•        . 

221 

noir  of 

2;j8 

• 

169 

. 

182 

his  Sermon 

192 

Memoir  of  . 

260 

L.,  Iiis  Labors 

•               • 

160 

lis  Poetry    . 

161 

tiis  Letter  to 

I        •        > 

159 

•        ■        • 

126 

•        • 

226 

•       •        - 

67 

.        . 

216 

Memoir  of  . 

225 

